Synchronization method, wireless communication chip and active pen

Abstract

The application provides a synchronization method, a wireless communication chip and a stylus, which can effectively realize synchronization between a touch screen and the stylus. The synchronization method is used for time synchronization between a first detection chip of a first device and a second detection chip of a second device, and the method comprises the following steps: a first wireless communication chip connected with the first detection chip receives a synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip at a first time; the first wireless communication chip sends time information associated with the first time to a second wireless communication chip connected with the second detection chip, and the time information is used for determining a second time at which the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal next time, so that the second detection chip is synchronized with the first detection chip at the second time.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention application with the application date of November 23, 2021, the application number of 202111391572.3, and the name of "synchronization method, wireless communication chip, synchronization device, electronic equipment and active pen". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of touch technology, and more particularly, to a synchronization method, a wireless communication chip and an active pen. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the popularity of capacitive screens, the application of capacitive active pens has become more and more widespread. The protocol between the active pen and the touch screen is also evolving, and its development trend has evolved from one-way communication in the early stage to two-way communication now. However, regardless of the communication protocol used, the touch screen and the active pen need to establish a connection according to the signal transmission and reception timing and period agreed in the protocol to achieve the collection of coordinate signals of the active pen by the touch screen, so as to realize the writing function of the active pen. It can be seen that the working premise of the active pen is to synchronize with the touch screen to establish a connection. Therefore, how to effectively realize the synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen has become a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a synchronization method, a wireless communication chip and an active pen, which can effectively realize the synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen.

[0005] In a first aspect, a synchronization method is provided for time synchronization between a first detection chip of a first device and a second detection chip of a second device, the first detection chip periodically sending a synchronization signal, the method comprising:

[0006] a first wireless communication chip connected with the first detection chip, receiving the synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip at a first time;

[0007] the first wireless communication chip sending time information associated with the synchronization signal to a second wireless communication chip connected with the second detection chip, wherein the time information is used to determine a second time at which the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal, so that the second detection chip synchronizes with the first detection chip at the second time.

[0008] Based on the technical scheme, the first wireless communication chip connected with the first detection chip sends time information associated with the synchronization signal to the second wireless communication chip connected with the second detection chip after receiving the synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip at the first time. The second device obtains the time information associated with the synchronization signal through the second wireless communication chip, and takes the first time as a time anchor point of sending the synchronization signal, so as to determine the second time of the next sending of the synchronization signal by the first detection chip based on the first time, so that the second detection chip and the first detection chip are synchronized at the second time. Since the wireless communication chip is used to realize the synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen, the time delay caused by the synchronization mode of the touch screen blindly detecting the code signal of the active pen is avoided, the position of the pen tip can be immediately detected when the active pen approaches the touch screen, the response speed of the first pen writing of the active pen is accelerated, the touch screen and the active pen can be kept synchronized for a long time, and the user experience is improved.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the time information is used to determine a first time difference between a third time when the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time, and the first time difference is used to determine the second time.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the second time is located after the third time for a certain length, and the length is equal to a difference between a length of a period of sending the synchronization signal by the first detection chip and the first time difference.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission between the connection interval and the second wireless communication chip, and the time information is a second time difference between a fourth time when the first Bluetooth chip receives the synchronization signal and a fifth time when the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip last time.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first time difference is equal to a difference between the second time difference and a preset value, and the preset value is equal to a sum of the following times:

[0013] The length of the connection period;

[0014] The data transmission time between the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip;

[0015] The time delay between the fourth time and the first time.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the synchronization signal is the last synchronization signal received by the first wireless communication chip in the connection period.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip are any one of a BLE chip, a WIFI chip, an RF chip, and an NFC chip.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first device is one of a touch screen and a stylus of the electronic device, and the second device is the other of the touch screen and the stylus.

[0019] In a second aspect, a synchronization method is provided for time synchronization between a first detection chip of a first device and a second detection chip of a second device, the first device being one of a touch screen and a stylus of the electronic device, the second device being the other of the touch screen and the stylus, the first detection chip periodically sending a synchronization signal, the method comprising:

[0020] acquiring a first wireless communication chip connected to the first detection chip, and sending time information associated with the synchronization signal to a second wireless communication chip connected to the second detection chip, wherein the synchronization signal is sent by the first detection chip at a first time;

[0021] determining, according to the time information, a second time at which the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal, so as to synchronize the second detection chip with the first detection chip at the second time.

[0022] According to the technical solution, the second wireless communication chip connected to the second detection chip can receive the time information associated with the synchronization signal sent by the first wireless communication chip connected to the first detection chip, and the first time at which the synchronization signal is sent. The second device acquires the time information associated with the synchronization signal through the second wireless communication chip, and takes the first time as a time anchor point for sending the synchronization signal, so as to determine the second time at which the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal based on the first time, so as to synchronize the second detection chip with the first detection chip at the second time. Since the wireless communication chip is used to realize synchronization between the touch screen and the stylus, the time delay caused by the synchronization mode in which the touch screen blindly detects the stylus code signal is avoided, the stylus tip position can be immediately detected when the stylus is close to the touch screen, the response speed of the first pen writing of the stylus is accelerated, and the touch screen and the stylus can be kept synchronized for a long time, thereby improving the user experience.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the second time point at which the first detection chip next transmits the synchronization signal according to the time information comprises: determining a first time difference between a third time point at which the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time point according to the time information; and determining the second time point according to the first time difference.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the second time point is determined according to the first time difference, comprising: determining that the second time point is a certain length of time after the third time point, and the length of time is equal to a difference between a length of a period in which the first detection chip transmits the synchronization signal and the first time difference.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip based on a connection interval thereof, and the time information is a second time difference between a fourth time point at which the first Bluetooth chip receives the synchronization signal and a fifth time point at which the first wireless communication chip last performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the first time difference is equal to a difference between the second time difference and a preset value, and the preset value is equal to a sum of a length of the connection period, a data transmission time between the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip, and a time delay between the fourth time point and the first time point.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the synchronization signal is a last synchronization signal received by the first wireless communication chip in the connection period.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip are any one of a BLE chip, a WIFI chip, an RF chip, and an NFC chip.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the synchronization method is performed by the second wireless communication chip or the second detection chip.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first device is one of a touch screen and an active pen of the electronic device, and the second device is the other of the touch screen and the active pen.

[0031] In a third aspect, a wireless communication chip is disclosed. The wireless communication chip is a first wireless communication chip connected with a first detection chip of a first device. The first device is one of a touch screen and a stylus of an electronic device. The first detection chip periodically transmits a synchronization signal. The first wireless communication chip comprises:

[0032] a receiving module configured to receive the synchronization signal transmitted by the first detection chip at a first time point;

[0033] a sending module configured to send time information associated with the synchronization signal to a second wireless communication chip connected with a second detection chip, wherein the time information is used to determine a second time point at which the first detection chip transmits the synchronization signal next time, so that the second detection chip is synchronized with the first detection chip at the second time point.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the time information is used to determine a first time difference between a third time point at which the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time point, and the first time difference is used to determine the second time point.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the second time point is located after the third time point for a certain time length, and the time length is equal to a difference between a length of a period in which the first detection chip transmits the synchronization signal and the first time difference.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip based on a connection interval therebetween, and the time information is a second time difference between a fourth time point at which the first wireless communication chip receives the synchronization signal and a fifth time point at which the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip last time.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the first time difference is equal to a difference between the second time difference and a preset value, and the preset value is equal to a sum of a length of the connection period, a data transmission time between the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip, and a time delay between the fourth time point and the first time point.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the synchronization signal is a last synchronization signal received by the first wireless communication chip in the connection period.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip are any one of a BLE chip, a WIFI chip, an RF chip, and an NFC chip.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the first device is one of a touch screen and a stylus of the electronic device, and the second device is the other of the touch screen and the stylus.

[0041] In a fourth aspect, a synchronization apparatus is provided for time synchronization between a first detection chip of a first device and a second detection chip of a second device, the first device being one of a touch screen and a stylus of the electronic device, the second device being the other of the touch screen and the stylus, the first detection chip periodically sending a synchronization signal, the synchronization apparatus comprising:

[0042] an obtaining module configured to obtain a first wireless communication chip connected to the first detection chip, and send time information associated with the synchronization signal to a second wireless communication chip connected to the second detection chip, wherein the synchronization signal is sent by the first detection chip at a first time point;

[0043] a processing module configured to determine, according to the time information, a second time point at which the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal, so as to synchronize the second detection chip with the first detection chip at the second time point.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the processing module is specifically configured to determine, according to the time information, a first time difference between a third time point at which the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time point, and determine the second time point according to the first time difference.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the processing module is specifically configured to determine that the second time point is located a certain time length after the third time point, and the time length is equal to a difference between a length of a period at which the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal and the first time difference.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip perform data transmission based on a connection interval therebetween, and the time information is a second time difference between a fourth time point at which the first Bluetooth chip receives the synchronization signal and a fifth time point at which the first wireless communication chip last performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the first time difference is equal to a difference between the second time difference and a preset value, where the preset value is equal to a sum of the following: a length of the connection period; a data transmission time between the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip; and a time delay between the fourth time and the first time.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the synchronization signal is a last synchronization signal received by the first wireless communication chip in the connection period.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip are any one of the following: a BLE chip, a WIFI chip, an RF chip, and an NFC chip.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the synchronization device is the second wireless communication chip or the second detection chip.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the first device is one of the following: a touch screen and an active pen of the electronic device, and the second device is the other of the touch screen and the active pen.

[0052] In a fifth aspect, a synchronization device is provided, including a processor and a memory, the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory, so as to execute the synchronization method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, or execute the synchronization method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0053] In a sixth aspect, an electronic device is provided, including: the wireless communication chip in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the synchronization device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect; and a touch screen.

[0054] In a seventh aspect, an active pen is provided, including: the wireless communication chip in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, or the synchronization device in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect; and an electrode configured to output a code signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a principle of use of the active pen on the touch screen.

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen.

[0057] Figure 3is a flow interaction diagram of a synchronization method of an embodiment of the present application.

[0058] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of a touch screen and an active pen of another embodiment of the present application.

[0059] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of a touch screen and an active pen of another embodiment of the present application.

[0060] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of signal timing of a synchronization method of an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of signal timing of a synchronization method of an embodiment of the present application.

[0062] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a Bluetooth chip of an embodiment of the present application.

[0063] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a synchronization device of an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] In actual use, the touch screen needs to acquire the coordinate of the nib of the active pen, so as to display the handwriting of the active pen according to the coordinate of the nib. As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, a certain number of horizontal and vertical detection electrodes are distributed on the touch screen 200, and when the code signal output by the nib electrode of the active pen 100 acts on a certain position of the touch screen 200, the horizontal and vertical detection electrodes corresponding to the position will generate corresponding detection signals, such as capacitance signals. According to the detection signals, the position coordinate of the nib of the active pen 100 on the touch screen 200 can be calculated. Figure 1

[0066] The code signal can also be called a driving signal, an excitation signal, a pen signal, etc., and is an electric signal emitted by the nib electrode of the active pen for determining the coordinate of the nib.

[0067] The active pen and the touch screen are two independent systems, and the touch screen cannot predict when the user uses the active pen to write on the touch screen, that is, the touch screen cannot determine at what moment to start detecting the code signal emitted by the active pen. Therefore, the active pen and the touch screen must be synchronized in timing, and the synchronization needs to be maintained for a long time during writing, so that the touch screen can stably and accurately detect the code signal emitted by the active pen.

[0068] ​Generally, the method of achieving synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen is as follows. For the active pen using the Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP) protocol, the touch screen gradually aligns its detection period to the active pen's code period by frequently detecting the active pen's code signal and adjusting its own detection period. For the active pen using the Universal Stylus Initiative (USI) protocol, the touch screen periodically sends a beacon signal, such as a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) encoded signal, which is detected by the active pen. When the active pen detects the correct beacon signal, it transmits a code signal according to the agreed time delay, thereby achieving synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen.

[0069] For example Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1, when the period of the touch screen detecting the code signal is aligned in time sequence with the period of the active pen transmitting the code signal, and the signal detection window of the touch screen is consistent in time sequence with the code window of the active pen, it means that the synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen is achieved. After synchronization, the touch screen can correctly detect the code signal of the active pen, and thus calculate the touch information of the active pen, such as position, pressure, tilt angle, etc. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the active pen can also detect the touch of the finger during the time when the active pen is not detected. Figure 2

[0070] However, the above-mentioned synchronization method has a long synchronization process between the touch screen and the active pen, generally requiring one or two periods, each period being usually 16 milliseconds, thus introducing a certain time delay. In addition, since the high requirement of the touch screen detecting the code signal of the active pen is generally only 5-10 mm, that is, the tip of the active pen is very close to the surface of the touch screen to start synchronization, the synchronization process has a certain time delay, resulting in slow response of the first pen writing of the active pen, affecting the user's writing experience.

[0071] In addition, the above-mentioned synchronization method has poor anti-interference ability. The noise of the display screen, the interference of the charger, the flicker interference of the lamp tube and other factors may affect the synchronization process, resulting in incorrect synchronization between the screen and the pen, pen writing disconnection, and even the active pen cannot be used normally. When the touch screen sends the beacon signal, it may also affect the display effect of the display screen due to the too high driving voltage, resulting in screen flicker, water ripples and other phenomena on the display screen.

[0072] ​To this end, the application proposes a synchronization scheme, in which the touch screen and the active pen achieve time synchronization with each other based on Bluetooth communication. Since Bluetooth has the advantages of long transmission distance and strong anti-interference capability, the stability and reliability of the synchronization process can be ensured, the touch screen and the active pen can keep time sequence synchronization for a long time, and the position of the pen tip can be immediately detected when the active pen approaches the touch screen, thereby accelerating the first pen response.

[0073] However, if the Bluetooth device directly sends a synchronization signal simply, it is required that the active pen keeps consistent or integer multiple relationship among the connection period of the Bluetooth device, the detection period of the touch screen, and the coding period of the active pen during the operation of the active pen. Considering the design of the detection time sequence of the touch screen and the requirement of the user on the refresh rate of coordinate detection, the detection frequency of the touch screen for the active pen is generally about 60 Hz, that is, the detection period is about 16.667 ms, in which the pen tip coordinates of the active pen are detected four or six times in each period, and the report rate of the coordinates is 240 HZ or 360 Hz. In order to take into account the consistency of the periods of the three, it is required to fix the periods of the three at 16.25 ms, which limits the connection period of the Bluetooth. Since the typical value of the connection period of the Bluetooth device is generally 15 ms, and according to the Bluetooth protocol, the connection period can be dynamically adjusted so as to be compatible with multiple Bluetooth devices connected to the same device, and the connection period can be extended in the idle state to reduce the power consumption of the Bluetooth device. Therefore, fixing the connection period of the Bluetooth device during the operation of the active pen can increase the power consumption of the Bluetooth device, and affect the compatibility of multiple Bluetooth devices connected to the same device.

[0074] In order to better utilize the Bluetooth device to achieve synchronization between the active pen and the touch screen, the embodiment of the application utilizes the Bluetooth chip to transmit timestamp information associated with the synchronization signal, and achieves synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen based on the timestamp information.

[0075] Figure 3 is a flow interaction diagram of the synchronization method of the embodiment of the application. Figure 3 The method 300 is used for time synchronization between a first detection chip of a first device and a second detection chip of a second device. Optionally, the first device is one of a touch screen and an active pen of an electronic device, and the second device is the other of the touch screen and the active pen. For example, the first device is the touch screen, and the second device is the active pen; or the first device is the active pen, and the second device is the touch screen.

[0076] The method 300 can be executed by the first detection chip of the first device, the first wireless communication chip connected with the first detection chip, the second detection chip of the second device, and the second wireless communication chip connected with the second detection chip.

[0077] For example, as shown in Figure 4 andFigure 5 As shown, when the first device is a touch screen in an electronic device, and the second device is a stylus, the first wireless communication chip is a wireless communication chip in the electronic device, such as a Bluetooth chip, a wireless fidelity (WIFI) chip, a radio frequency (RF) chip, a near field communication (NFC) chip, etc.; and the first detection chip is a touch chip of the touch screen, i.e., a touch panel integrated circuit (TP IC), which is used for touch detection. Both the first detection chip and the first wireless communication chip can interact with the master control of the electronic device, such as a CPU, and the first detection chip can send a signal to the first wireless communication chip through an I / O interface. The second wireless communication chip is a wireless communication chip in the stylus, such as a Bluetooth chip, a WIFI chip, an RF chip, an NFC chip, etc.; and the second detection chip is a code output chip of the stylus, which is used for outputting a code signal and detecting an uplink signal output by the stylus. The second detection chip and the second wireless communication chip can transmit signals through an I / O interface, and the second detection chip is also connected with a pressure sensor to detect pressure information of the stylus.

[0078] Correspondingly, when the first device is a stylus, and the second device is a touch screen, the first wireless communication chip is a wireless communication chip in the stylus, such as a Bluetooth chip, a WIFI chip, an RF chip, an NFC chip, etc.; the first detection chip is a code output chip of the stylus; the second wireless communication chip is a wireless communication chip of the electronic device, such as a Bluetooth chip, a WIFI chip, an RF chip, an NFC chip, etc.; and the second detection chip is a TP IC.

[0079] The first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip can perform wireless transmission, for example, transmission of data packets based on a connection period agreed in a Bluetooth protocol, also referred to as a connection interval. The Bluetooth chip described above is, for example, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) chip.

[0080] The first detection chip and the second detection chip can transmit signals through an I / O interface, for example, the stylus can emit a code output signal to the touch screen, and the touch screen can also send an uplink signal to the stylus.

[0081] The synchronization signal for synchronization in the method 300 can be generated by either the first detection chip or the second detection chip, and the other party adjusts its period to achieve synchronization. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the first detection chip periodically generates the synchronization signal and sends the synchronization signal to the first wireless communication chip during the synchronization process. As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 The method 300 includes some or all of the following steps.

[0082] In step 310, the first detection chip sends a synchronization signal to the first wireless communication chip at a first time T0.

[0083] In step 320, the first wireless communication chip receives the synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip at the first time T0.

[0084] In step 330, the first wireless communication chip sends time information associated with the synchronization signal to the second wireless communication chip.

[0085] In step 340, the time information is obtained, wherein the time information is used to determine a second time T1 at which the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal.

[0086] In step 350, the second time T1 at which the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal is determined according to the time information.

[0087] In step 360, the second detection chip is synchronized with the first detection chip at the second time T1.

[0088] In the above steps, step 310 is performed by the first detection chip, steps 320 and 330 are performed by the first wireless communication chip, and steps 340 and 350 can be performed by the second wireless communication chip or the second detection chip. When steps 340 and 350 are performed by the second wireless communication chip, the second wireless communication chip can inform the second detection chip of the information of the second time T1 determined by the second wireless communication chip, so that the second detection chip adjusts its period for sending the code signal, for example Figure 4 As shown in step 370, before step 360, the second detection chip also performs step 370; when steps 340 and 350 are performed by the second detection chip, the second wireless communication chip can inform the second detection chip of the time information associated with the synchronization signal received by the second wireless communication chip, determine the second time T1 by the second detection chip, and adjust its period for sending the code signal, for example Figure 5 As shown in step 330, after the second wireless communication chip obtains the time information, the second wireless communication chip sends the time information to the second detection chip; in addition, steps 340 and 350 can also be performed by other modules with data processing capability.

[0089] It can be seen that the first wireless communication chip connected with the first detection chip sends time information associated with the synchronization signal to the second wireless communication chip connected with the second detection chip after receiving the synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip at the first time. The second device obtains the time information associated with the synchronization signal through the second wireless communication chip, and takes the first time T0 as a time anchor point, i.e., a time reference point, of sending the synchronization signal, so as to determine the second time T1 of next time sending the synchronization signal by the first detection chip based on the first time T0, thereby enabling the second detection chip to be synchronized with the first detection chip at the second time T1. Since the wireless communication chip is used to realize the synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen, the time delay caused by the synchronization mode of the touch screen blindly detecting the code signal of the active pen is avoided, the position of the pen tip can be immediately detected when the active pen approaches the touch screen, the response speed of the first pen writing of the active pen is accelerated, the touch screen and the active pen can be kept synchronized for a long time, and the user experience is improved.

[0090] After the first detection chip and the second detection chip are synchronized at the second time T1, signal transmission can be performed based on the second time T1. For example, the two can emit a code signal from the active pen to the touch screen at the second time T1 or after a specific time length from the second time T1 as a starting point, and detect the code signal within the same time by the touch screen; or send an uplink signal from the touch screen to the active pen at the second time T1 or after a specific time length from the second time T1 as a starting point, and detect the uplink signal within the same time by the active pen.

[0091] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a possible signal timing based on the method 300 is shown. Figure 6 In the case that the first device is a touch screen, the second device is an active pen, and the synchronization signal is sent by the first detection chip, the second detection chip adjusts its period based on the time information associated with the synchronization signal so as to be synchronized with the first detection chip.

[0092] In an implementation manner, the time information associated with the synchronization signal can be used to determine a first time difference At0 between a third time P1 at which the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time T0, and the first time difference At0 is used to determine the second time T1.

[0093] That is, in step 350, the second time T1 of next time sending the synchronization signal by the first detection chip is determined according to the time information associated with the synchronization signal, including: determining a first time difference At0 between a third time P1 at which the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time T0 according to the time information; and determining the second time T1 according to the first time difference At0.

[0094] The first time difference At0 is a time difference between a time when the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal and a time when the second wireless communication chip receives the synchronization signal, or in other words, the first time difference At0 is a transmission time delay of the synchronization signal between the first device and the second device. When the first time difference At0 is determined based on the above-mentioned time information, the transmission time delay of the synchronization signal between the first device and the second device can be determined, and since the first detection chip periodically sends the synchronization signal, the time when the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal can also be determined.

[0095] That is, further, in step 350, the second time T1 is determined according to the first time difference At0, including: determining that the second time T1 is located after the third time P1 for a certain length of time, which is equal to a difference between a length of a period in which the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal and the first time difference At0. The period is a time difference T1-T0 between the second time T1 and the first time T0.

[0096] In an implementation manner, the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip based on a connection interval of the first wireless communication chip. Figure 6 As shown, the time information associated with the synchronization signal sent by the first wireless communication chip to the second wireless communication chip can be a second time difference At1 between a fourth time X0 when the first Bluetooth chip receives the synchronization signal and a fifth time Y0 when the first wireless communication chip last performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip.

[0097] That is, the first wireless communication chip can send the second time difference At1 to the second wireless communication chip, so as to determine the first time difference At0 between the third time P1 and the first time T0. The first time difference At0 can be used to determine the second time T1, specifically, the second time T1 is delayed from the third time P1 for a certain length of time, which is a difference between a length of a period in which the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal and the first time difference At0.

[0098] In an implementation manner, the first time difference At0 can be equal to a difference between the second time difference At1 and a preset value. The preset value may, for example, be equal to a sum of the following times: a length of a connection period of the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip; a data transmission time between the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip; and a time delay between the fourth time X0 and the first time T0.

[0099] When the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip are Bluetooth chips, the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip perform data transmission according to a certain connection period based on a Bluetooth protocol, for example Figure 6As shown, the first and second wireless communication chips periodically transmit data packets at times Y0, Y1, and Y2 according to a connection period. Even when no data needs to be transmitted, empty data packets are still transmitted between the first and second wireless communication chips to maintain synchronization. This connection period is known and is denoted as C0.

[0100] The data transmission time between the first and second wireless communication chips refers to the time required for one data packet to be transmitted between them, i.e., the time for the data packet to travel through the air, such as the time difference between time P1 and time Y1. This data transmission time is known and can be considered a constant, denoted as C1.

[0101] The time delay between the fourth time point X0 and the first time point T0 refers to the time it takes for the first wireless communication chip to respond to the synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip. Since the synchronization signal is triggered via a wired connection through the I / O interface, the first wireless communication chip can acquire the synchronization signal at the fastest speed, and the response time can have very small jitter, for example, within 10µs. Therefore, it can be regarded as a stable time delay constant, denoted as C2, which can be obtained through measurement.

[0102] In summary, the preset value C can be C = C0 + C1 + C2. The first time difference Δt0 can be equal to the difference between the second time difference Δt1 and the preset value C, that is, Δt0 = Δt1 - C.

[0103] The following, combined with Figure 6 Describe in detail how to determine the second time point T1.

[0104] As an example, such as Figure 6 As shown, the first device is a touch screen, and the second device is an active pen. The first detection chip periodically sends a synchronization signal, and the second detection chip adjusts its period based on the time information associated with the synchronization signal so as to synchronize with the first detection chip at the second time T1.

[0105] The first detection chip is a TP IC, and the second detection chip is a coding chip. The first and second wireless communication chips are Bluetooth chips. They transmit data packets based on a certain connection period C0, such as at times Y0, Y1, and Y2. The times Y0, Y1, and Y2 are automatically recorded by the system clock of the Bluetooth chip and are known time anchor points.

[0106] The first detection chip of the touch screen sends a synchronization signal to the first wireless communication chip through the I / O interface using a wired connection at time T0, and the first wireless communication chip receives the synchronization signal at time X0, and there is a time delay between them, that is, C2=X0-T0. After receiving the synchronization signal, the first wireless communication chip immediately obtains the current time X0 and calculates the time delay Δt1=X0-Y0 of time X0 relative to Y0.

[0107] The first wireless communication chip sends a data packet carrying time information Δt1 to the second wireless communication chip through wireless transmission at time Y1, and the second wireless communication chip receives the data packet carrying time information Δt1 at time P1, and there is a time delay between them, that is, C1=P1-Y1.

[0108] Accordingly, the active pen can calculate the time delay Δt0 of time P1 relative to time T0, that is, Δt0=(P1-Y1)+(Y1-X0)+(X0-T0). Combined with Δt1=X0-Y0, it can be obtained that Δt0=(P1-Y1)+(Y1-Y0-Δt1)+(X0-T0)=C1+(C0-Δt1)+C2=(C1+C0+C2)-Δt1. Since C1, C0 and C2 are predictable constants, Δt1 is an unknown quantity, and Δt0 is associated with Δt1, when Δt1 is known, Δt0 can be determined based on Δt1.

[0109] The active pen takes time T0 as the time anchor point and time T1 as the synchronization target, and calculates the timing time of the start point S1 of the next period of the second detection chip relative to time P1, that is, S1-P1=T1-P1=(T1-T0)-Δt0=(T1-T0)-(C1+C0+C2)+Δt1, where T1-T0 is the period of the first detection chip sending the synchronization signal, which is a known constant. It can be seen that as long as Δt1 is obtained, the active pen can calculate the position of the second time T1, so that the second detection chip and the first detection chip are synchronized at time T1, that is, the start point (time S1) of the period of the second detection chip is aligned with the start point (time T1) of the period of the first detection chip, thereby completing the synchronization of the active pen and the touch screen once.

[0110] In the above synchronization method, each time length in the process of calculating the second time T1 from the first time T0 and its calculation can also have other equivalent transformations, which are not limited in the present application. Any process that can calculate the time difference Δt0 between time P0 and time T0 can be used to determine time T2.

[0111] When the first wireless communication chip receives multiple synchronization signals in its connection period, it can optionally synchronize based on the last synchronization signal received by the first wireless communication chip in the connection period. For example Figure 7As shown, when the first wireless communication chip receives two synchronization signals at time X1 and time X2 respectively, the synchronization signal at time X1 should be discarded and the synchronization time T3 should be recalculated based on the synchronization signal at time X2.

[0112] The synchronization scheme in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the synchronization between any two devices with wireless communication function, in addition to the synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen, to realize the clock synchronization of the two devices.

[0113] Figure 8 A wireless communication chip provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. The wireless communication chip is a first wireless communication chip connected with a first detection chip of a first device, and is used for time synchronization between the first detection chip and a second detection chip of a second device. The first device is one of a touch screen and an active pen of an electronic device, the second device is the other of the touch screen and the active pen, and the first detection chip periodically sends a synchronization signal. As shown, Figure 8 The first wireless communication chip 400 includes:

[0114] The receiving module 410 is configured to receive the synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip at a first time.

[0115] The sending module 420 is configured to send time information associated with the synchronization signal to a second wireless communication chip connected with the second detection chip, wherein the time information is used to determine a second time at which the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal, so as to synchronize the second detection chip with the first detection chip at the second time.

[0116] In this embodiment, after receiving the synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip at a first time, the first wireless communication chip sends time information associated with the synchronization signal to the second wireless communication chip. The second device obtains the time information associated with the synchronization signal through the second wireless communication chip, and takes the first time as a time anchor point for sending the synchronization signal, so as to determine a second time at which the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal based on the first time, so that the second detection chip is synchronized with the first detection chip at the second time. Since the wireless communication chip is used to realize the synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen, the time delay caused by the synchronization mode in which the touch screen blindly detects the code signal of the active pen is avoided, the position of the pen tip can be immediately detected when the active pen approaches the touch screen, the response speed of the first pen writing of the active pen is accelerated, the touch screen and the active pen can be kept synchronized for a long time, and the user experience is improved.

[0117] In an implementation, the time information is used to determine a first time difference between a third time instant when the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time instant, and the first time difference is used to determine the second time instant.

[0118] In an implementation, the second time instant is after a time duration from the third time instant, and the time duration is equal to a difference between a length of a period of the first detection chip sending the synchronization signal and the first time difference.

[0119] In an implementation, the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip based on a connection interval therebetween, and the time information is a second time difference between a fourth time instant when the first Bluetooth chip receives the synchronization signal and a fifth time instant when the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip last time.

[0120] In an implementation, the first time difference is equal to a difference between the second time difference and a preset value, and the preset value is equal to a sum of a length of the connection period, a data transmission time between the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip, and a time delay between the fourth time instant and the first time instant.

[0121] In an implementation, the synchronization signal is a last synchronization signal received by the first wireless communication chip in the connection period.

[0122] In an implementation, the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip are any one of a BLE chip, a WIFI chip, an RF chip, and an NFC chip.

[0123] It should be understood that the specific process of the first wireless communication chip performing the synchronization operation and the beneficial effects produced can be referred to the related description in the method embodiments, and for brevity, will not be described here.

[0124] Figure 9 A synchronization apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. The synchronization apparatus may, for example, be the second wireless communication chip or the second detection chip described above. The synchronization apparatus is used for time synchronization between a first detection chip of a first device and a second detection chip of a second device, and the first detection chip periodically sends a synchronization signal. As shown in Figure 9 The synchronization apparatus 500 includes:

[0125] The acquisition module 510 is configured to acquire a first wireless communication chip connected with the first detection chip, and send time information associated with a synchronization signal to a second wireless communication chip connected with the second detection chip, where the synchronization signal is sent by the first detection chip at a first time point.

[0126] The processing module 520 is configured to determine a second time point at which the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal next time according to the time information, so as to synchronize the second detection chip with the first detection chip at the second time point.

[0127] The second wireless communication chip in the embodiment can receive the time information associated with the synchronization signal sent by the first wireless communication chip connected with the first detection chip, and the synchronization signal is sent by the first detection chip at a first time point. The second device acquires the time information associated with the synchronization signal through the second wireless communication chip, and takes the first time point as a time anchor point of sending the synchronization signal, so as to determine a second time point at which the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal next time based on the first time point, so as to synchronize the second detection chip with the first detection chip at the second time point. Since the wireless communication chip is used to realize the synchronization between the touch screen and the active pen, the time delay caused by the synchronization mode of the touch screen blindly detecting the code signal of the active pen is avoided, the position of the pen tip can be detected immediately when the active pen approaches the touch screen, the response speed of the first pen writing of the active pen is accelerated, the touch screen and the active pen can be kept synchronized for a long time, and the user experience is improved.

[0128] In an implementation manner, the processing module 520 is specifically configured to: determine a first time difference between a third time point at which the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time point according to the time information; and determine the second time point according to the first time difference.

[0129] In an implementation manner, the processing module 520 is specifically configured to: determine that the second time point is located after a certain time length from the third time point, and the time length is equal to a difference between a length of a period in which the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal and the first time difference.

[0130] In an implementation manner, the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission between the interval connected with the second wireless communication chip, and the time information is a second time difference between a fourth time point at which the first Bluetooth chip receives the synchronization signal and a fifth time point at which the first wireless communication chip performs data transmission with the second wireless communication chip last time.

[0131] In an implementation, the first time difference is equal to a difference between the second time difference and a preset value, wherein the preset value is equal to a sum of a length of the connection period, a data transmission time between the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip, and a time delay between the fourth time and the first time.

[0132] In an implementation, the synchronization signal is a last synchronization signal received by the first wireless communication chip in the connection period.

[0133] In an implementation, the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip are any one of a BLE chip, a WIFI chip, an RF chip, and an NFC chip.

[0134] In an implementation, the first device is one of a touch screen and an active pen of the electronic device, and the second device is the other of the touch screen and the active pen.

[0135] It should be understood that the specific process in which the synchronization device performs the synchronization operation and the beneficial effects produced can be referred to the related description in the method embodiments, and for brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0136] The present application also provides a synchronization device, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the method performed by the first wireless communication chip in any of the above embodiments.

[0137] The present application also provides a synchronization device, comprising a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the method performed by the wireless device such as the second wireless communication chip or the second detection chip in any of the above embodiments.

[0138] The present application also provides an electronic device, comprising the first wireless communication chip and the first detection chip described above, or comprising the second wireless communication chip and the second detection chip described above.

[0139] The present application also provides an active pen, comprising the first wireless communication chip and the first detection chip described above, or comprising the second wireless communication chip and the second detection chip described above.

[0140] It should be noted that, in the case of no conflict, the various embodiments described in the present application and / or the technical features in the various embodiments can be combined with each other at will, and the technical scheme obtained after combination should also fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0141] The system, device and method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in other manners. For example, some features of the method embodiments described above can be ignored or not performed. The device embodiments described above are only schematic, and the division of units is only a logical function division, and there can be another division manner in actual implementation. In addition, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, and a coupling or a component between the units can be a direct coupling or an indirect coupling through some interfaces, and there can be an electrical, mechanical or other form of connection.

[0142] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the device and the device described above and the technical effects generated can refer to the corresponding process and technical effects in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0143] It should be understood that the specific examples in the embodiments of the present application are only to help those skilled in the art better understand the embodiments of the present application, and not to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications on the basis of the above embodiments, and these improvements or modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0144] The above describes only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present application, and all these changes or replacements should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of synchronizing, comprising: A method for time synchronization between a first detection chip of a first device and a second detection chip of a second device, the first detection chip periodically sending a synchronization signal, the method comprising: a first wireless communication chip connected with the first detection chip, receiving the synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip at a first time; the first wireless communication chip sending time information associated with the synchronization signal to a second wireless communication chip connected with the second detection chip, wherein the time information is a second time difference, the second time difference being a time difference between a fourth time when the first wireless communication chip receives the synchronization signal and a fifth time when the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip last performed data transmission, the second time difference being used to determine a second time when the first detection chip next sends the synchronization signal, so that the second detection chip synchronizes with the first detection chip at the second time.

2. The synchronization method of claim 1, wherein, the second time difference is used to determine a first time difference between a third time when the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time, the first time difference being used to determine the second time.

3. The synchronization method of claim 2, wherein, the first time difference is equal to a difference between the second time difference and a preset value, wherein the preset value is equal to a sum of: a length of a connection period agreed by the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip; a data transmission time between the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip; a time delay between the fourth time and the first time.

4. The synchronization method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, the second time is located a certain time length after the third time, the time length being equal to a difference between a length of a period in which the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal and the first time difference.

5. The synchronization method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the synchronization signal is the last synchronization signal received by the first wireless communication chip in a connection period agreed by the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip.

6. The synchronization method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip are any one of: a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) chip, a Wireless Fidelity (WIFI) chip, a Radio Frequency (RF) chip, and a Near Field Communication (NFC) chip.

7. The synchronization method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the first device is one of a touch screen and an active pen of an electronic device, and the second device is the other of the touch screen and the active pen.

8. A wireless communication chip, comprising: the wireless communication chip is a first wireless communication chip connected with a first detection chip of a first device, for time synchronization between the first detection chip and a second detection chip of a second device, the first detection chip periodically sending a synchronization signal, the first wireless communication chip comprising: a receiving module, configured to receive the synchronization signal sent by the first detection chip at a first time; The sending module is configured to send time information associated with the synchronization signal to a second wireless communication chip connected to the second detection chip, wherein the time information is a second time difference, the second time difference is a time difference between a fourth time when the first wireless communication chip receives the synchronization signal and a fifth time when the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip perform data transmission for the last time, and the second time difference is used to determine a second time when the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal next time, so that the second detection chip is synchronized with the first detection chip at the second time.

9. The wireless communication chip of claim 8, wherein, The second time difference is used to determine a first time difference between a third time when the second wireless communication chip receives the time information and the first time, and the first time difference is used to determine the second time.

10. The wireless communication chip of claim 9, wherein, The first time difference is equal to a difference between the second time difference and a preset value, wherein the preset value is equal to a sum of the following times: a length of a connection period agreed by the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip; a data transmission time between the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip; a time delay between the fourth time and the first time.

11. The wireless communication chip of claim 9 or 10, wherein, The second time is located at a certain length of time after the third time, and the length of time is equal to a difference between a length of a period in which the first detection chip sends the synchronization signal and the first time difference.

12. The wireless communication chip of any one of claims 8-10, wherein, The synchronization signal is the last synchronization signal received by the first wireless communication chip in the connection period agreed by the first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip.

13. The wireless communication chip of any one of claims 8-10, wherein, The first wireless communication chip and the second wireless communication chip are any one of the following: a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) chip, a wireless local area network (WLAN) chip, a wireless radio frequency (RF) chip, and a near field communication (NFC) chip.

14. The wireless communication chip of any one of claims 8-10, wherein, The first device is one of a touch screen and an active pen of an electronic device, and the second device is the other of the touch screen and the active pen.

15. A stylus, characterized by The wireless communication chip comprises: the wireless communication chip according to any one of claims 8 to 14; and an electrode configured to output a code hitting signal. ​

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