Touch sensing method

Abstract

A touch sensing method is suitable for a touch display panel having a plurality of sensing columns, and includes the following steps. During the first frame, the plurality of sensing columns are grouped according to a first order. During the first frame, the plurality of sensing columns grouped according to the first order are scanned to detect a first touched column. During a second frame, the plurality of sensing columns are grouped according to a second order, the second order is specified according to the first touched column, and in the second order, the first touched column and a plurality of adjacent columns around the first touched column are grouped in the same group. During a second frame, the plurality of sensing columns grouped according to the second order are scanned to detect a second touched column. According to the touch sensing method, the scanning data collected in a dynamic grouping mode has high tolerance to background noise.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a touch sensing method, and more particularly to a touch sensing method resistant to background noise. Background Art

[0002] Touch display panels have been widely used in various electronic devices on the market, such as smart phones, tablet computers, smart TVs, personal computers, etc. Traditional touch display panels require a display driving circuit to implement the display function and a touch driving circuit to implement the touch sensing function respectively. With the development of touch and display driver integration (TDDI) technology, the touch function and the display function can be integrated in a single chip to drive the touch display panel. This touch display panel itself has the characteristics of a display panel and at the same time has the function of touch sensing. Touch and display driver integration (TDDI) technology helps to reduce the manufacturing cost of the touch display panel, achieve panel thinning, and achieve better performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One aspect of the present disclosure discloses a touch sensing method applicable to a touch display panel having a plurality of sensing bars. The touch sensing method includes the following steps. During a first frame, the plurality of sensing bars are grouped according to a first order. During the first frame, the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the first order are scanned to detect a first touched bar. During a second frame, the plurality of sensing bars are grouped according to a second order, where the second order is specified according to the first touched bar, and in the second order, the first touched bar and a plurality of adjacent bars around the first touched bar are grouped together in the same group. During the second frame, the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the second order are scanned to detect a second touched bar.

[0004] In some embodiments, the touch sensing method further includes: during a third frame, the plurality of sensing bars are grouped according to a third order, where the third order is specified according to the second touched bar, and in the third order, the second touched bar and a plurality of adjacent bars around the second touched bar are grouped together in the same group; and during the third frame, the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the third order are scanned to detect a third touched bar.

[0005] In some embodiments, the touch sensing method includes: in response to no touched bar being detected during the first frame, grouping the plurality of sensing bars according to the first order during the second frame; and in response to no touched bar being detected during the first frame, scanning the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the first order during the second frame to detect the second touched bar.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first order is a preset order for clustering the plurality of sensing bars.

[0007] In some embodiments, the second order is based on the first touched bar for clustering the plurality of sensing bars.

[0008] In some embodiments, in the second order, the first touched bar is arranged at a central position of the same group.

[0009] In some embodiments, the plurality of sensing bars are clustered by a selection circuit, the selection circuit is coupled between the plurality of sensing bars and a touch sensing converter, and the touch sensing converter is configured to receive a plurality of touch sensing signals from the plurality of sensing bars through the selection circuit.

[0010] In some embodiments, the plurality of sensing bars include a plurality of sensing pads, the selection circuit is respectively connected to each of the plurality of sensing pads, the touch sensing converter includes a plurality of analog front-end touch sensing units, and the selection circuit is configured to select a part of the plurality of sensing pads and connect the selected sensing pads to the plurality of analog front-end touch sensing units.

[0011] Another aspect of the present disclosure discloses a touch sensing method applicable to a touch display panel having a plurality of sensing pads. The touch sensing method includes the following steps. Each K adjacent sensing pads among the plurality of sensing pads along a horizontal direction are respectively combined into a plurality of first combining units. The plurality of first combining units are scanned to detect a first coordinate of a touch event. Each K adjacent sensing pads among the plurality of sensing pads along a vertical direction are respectively combined into a plurality of second combining units. The plurality of second combining units are scanned to detect a second coordinate of the touch event.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first coordinate and the second coordinate are combined to locate the touch event.

[0013] In some embodiments, the plurality of sensing pads are arranged in a plurality of sensing bars, and the touch sensing method further includes: during a first frame, clustering the plurality of sensing bars according to a first order; during the first frame, scanning the plurality of sensing bars clustered according to the first order; and detecting a background noise based on scan data collected during the first frame.

[0014] In some embodiments, the touch sensing method includes: in response to detecting the background noise, during a second frame period, combining every K adjacent sensing pads among the plurality of sensing pads along the horizontal direction into the plurality of first combining units respectively; in response to detecting the background noise, during the second frame period, scanning the plurality of first combining units to detect the first coordinate of the touch event; in response to detecting the background noise, during the second frame period, combining every K adjacent sensing pads among the plurality of sensing pads along the vertical direction into the plurality of second combining units respectively; and in response to detecting the background noise, during the second frame period, scanning the plurality of second combining units to detect the second coordinate of the touch event.

[0015] In some embodiments, the touch sensing method includes: in response to not detecting the background noise, during a second frame period, clustering the plurality of sensing bars according to the first order; and in response to not detecting the background noise, during the second frame period, scanning the plurality of sensing bars clustered according to the first order.

[0016] In some embodiments, a selection circuit is coupled between the plurality of sensing pads and a touch sensing converter, the touch sensing converter includes a plurality of analog front-end touch sensing units, and the touch sensing converter is configured to receive a plurality of touch sensing signals from the plurality of sensing pads.

[0017] In some embodiments, the selection circuit is configured to combine K touch sensing signals from every K adjacent sensing pads into a combined signal and transmit the combined signal to one of the plurality of analog front-end touch sensing units of the touch sensing converter.

[0018] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a way to dynamically change the clustering order, which can change the subsequent clustering order according to the touched bars detected in the previous frame, so as to avoid the influence of background noise on the scanned signal due to differences in time points and maintain the accuracy of touch sensing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] To make the above and other objects, features, and embodiments of the present disclosure more obvious and understandable, the descriptions of the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0020] Figure 1 Showing a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 Showing a flowchart of a touch sensing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 3 Showing relevant signal waveforms when the electronic device performs the touch sensing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing scan data sensed in respective different sensing columns during a first frame according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing scan data sensed in respective different sensing columns during a second frame according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing scan data sensed in respective different sensing columns during a third frame according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 8 A flowchart showing a touch sensing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 9 A signal waveform diagram showing signals generated when an electronic device executes a touch sensing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 10 A schematic diagram showing a merged configuration after merging along a horizontal direction according to steps in some embodiments; and

[0030] Figure 11 A schematic diagram showing a merged configuration after merging along a vertical direction according to steps in some embodiments.

[0031]

Symbol Description

[0032] 100, 700: Electronic device

[0033] 120, 720: Touch display panel

[0034] 130, 730: Selection circuit

[0035] 140, 740: Touch sensing converter

[0036] 150, 750: Microcontroller unit

[0037] 160, 760: Control register

[0038] 200, 800: Touch sensing method

[0039] AFE1, AFE2, AFE3, AFE4: Analog front-end touch sensing unit

[0040] AFE9, AFE10, AFE36: Analog Front-End Touch Sensing Unit

[0041] C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8: Sensing Bar

[0042] C9, C10, C11, C12: Sensing Bar

[0043] CON: Sequence Control Signal

[0044] F1: First Frame

[0045] F2: Second Frame

[0046] F3: Third Frame

[0047] G1: First Group

[0048] G2: Second Group

[0049] G3: Third Group

[0050] H1 to H36: First Merging Unit

[0051] M1, M2, M36: Merging Signal

[0052] MPh, MPv: Merging Configuration

[0053] NOD: Noise Detection Signal

[0054] P1, P2, P3, P4, P9: Sensing Pad

[0055] P1a, P2a, P3a: First Pulse

[0056] P1b, P2b, P3b: Second Pulse

[0057] P1c, P2c, P3c: Third Pulse

[0058] R1, R2, R3, R4, R9: Sensing Row

[0059] RX: Touch Sensing Signal

[0060] SD: Scanning Data

[0061] T_COL: Touched Bar

[0062] T_COL1: First Touched Bar

[0063] T_COL2: Second Touched Bar

[0064] T_COL3: Third Touched Bar

[0065] TE: Touch Event

[0066] TX: Touch trigger signal

[0067] V1 - V36: Second combining unit

[0068] S212, S214, S216: Steps

[0069] S222, S223, S224, S225, S226: Steps

[0070] S232, S233, S234, S235: Steps

[0071] S812, S814, S816: Steps

[0072] S822, S823, S824, S825, S826, S828: Steps Detailed implementation manners

[0073] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different features of the present disclosure. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used between the drawings and the corresponding text descriptions to represent the same or similar elements.

[0074] Please refer to Figure 1 , which shows a schematic diagram of an electronic device 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device 100 includes a touch display panel 120, a selection circuit 130, a touch sensing converter 140, and a microcontroller unit (MCU) 150.

[0075] The touch display panel 120 includes a plurality of sensing pads, which are respectively arranged on a plurality of sensing bars, Figure 1 as shown by the plurality of sensing bars C1, C2, C3... C12. The plurality of sensing pads on the touch display panel 120 are respectively arranged at different positions along rows and columns for sensing touch events on the touch display panel 120. As Figure 1 shown, each sensing bar respectively includes nine sensing pads P1, P2, P3... P9. It should be noted that Figure 1 the number of rows and columns shown is for illustrative purposes. In practical applications, the touch display panel 120 includes a plurality of touch sensing pads arranged in multiple rows and columns, and is not limited to the number of 9 rows and 12 columns. The touch display panel 120 may include M * N sensing pads arranged on M rows and N columns. M and N are positive integers respectively.

[0076] The touch sensing converter 140 may include a plurality of analog front - end (AFE) touch sensing units. In Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the touch sensing converter 140 may include 36 analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1, AFE2, AFE3... AFE36. It should be noted that Figure 1 the number of the front-end touch sensing units shown is for illustrative purposes only, and the present disclosure is not limited to 36.

[0077] The selection circuit 130 is coupled to each touch sensing pad P1 - P9 on a plurality of sensing bars C1 - C12. Each sensing pad P1 - P9 on the sensing bars C1 - C12 can generate a corresponding touch sensing signal RX based on a touch event TE. For example, when a touch event TE occurs near the sensing pad P3 located on the sensing bar C4, the voltage level, current level, or capacitance value level of the touch sensing signal RX generated by the sensing pad P3 and other adjacent sensing pads will change. The selection circuit 130 is coupled to each analog front-end touch sensing unit AFE1 - AFE36 of the touch sensing converter 140. In some embodiments, the selection circuit 130 is used to select a part of the 108 sensing pads (for example, 36 of them), and connect the selected part of the sensing pads (for example, the selected 36 sensing pads) to the 36 analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 - AFE36 in the touch sensing converter 140 respectively. In some embodiments, the selection circuit 130 can be implemented by an analog multiplexer (AMUX).

[0078] The analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 - AFE36 in the touch sensing converter 140 are used to receive the touch sensing signal RX from the sensing pads P1 - P9 on the sensing bars C1 - C12 through the transfer of the selection circuit 130. In some embodiments, each analog front-end touch sensing unit AFE1 - AFE36 includes a sense amplifier for processing the touch sensing signal RX (for example, comparing the touch sensing signal RX with a reference signal). In this case, the touch sensing converter 140 can generate scan data SD based on the touch sensing signal RX.

[0079] The microcontroller unit 150 is connected to the touch sensing converter 140, and the microcontroller unit 150 is used to receive the scan data SD from the touch sensing converter 140. In some embodiments, the microcontroller unit 150 can detect the touched bar T_COL corresponding to the touch event TE based on the scan data SD. The microcontroller unit 150 can also calculate the coordinates of the touch event TE based on the scan data SD.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 . Figure 2FIG. 200 is a flowchart showing a touch sensing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The touch sensing method 200 can be executed by Figure 1 the electronic device 100 shown. Figure 3 FIG. 201 is a diagram showing relevant signal waveforms when the electronic device 100 executes the touch sensing method 200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4 FIG. 202 is a schematic diagram showing the scan data SD sensed in each of the different sensing columns C1 to C12 during the first frame F1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0081] As Figure 1 shown in Figure 2 shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, during the first frame F1, the selection circuit 130 executes step S212 to group the sensing columns C1 to C12 in a first order. In some embodiments, the first order is a preset order for grouping the sensing columns C1 to C12. According to the first order (i.e., the preset order), the sensing columns C1 to C4 are divided into the first group G1; the sensing columns are divided into the second group G2; the sensing columns C9 to C12 are divided into the third group G3.

[0082] During the first frame F1, step S214 is executed to scan the multiple sensing columns grouped according to the above first order, and then the first touched column T_COL1 is detected, as Figure 4 shown. In step S214, the touch trigger signals TX generated by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 of the touch sensing converter 140 during the first frame F1 include a total of three pulses, as Figure 3 shown by the first pulse P1a, the second pulse P1b, and the third pulse P1c.

[0083] The first pulse P1a is transmitted by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 through the selection circuit [i.e., analog multiplexer] 130 to the respective sensing pads P1 to P9 located on the four sensing columns C1 to C4 (belonging to the first group G1 grouped according to the first order). During the period corresponding to the first pulse Pla in the first frame F1, the touch sensing signals RX generated by the sensing columns C1 to C4 in the first group G1 are transmitted through the transfer of the selection circuit 130 to the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36. "

[0084] The second pulse P1b is transmitted by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 through a selection circuit 130 (such as an analog multiplexer) to each sensing pad P1 to P9 located on four sensing bars C5 to C8 (belonging to the second group G2 grouped in the first order). During the period corresponding to the second pulse P1b in the first frame F1, the touch sensing signals RX generated by the sensing bars C5 to C8 in the second group G2 are transmitted through the transfer of the selection circuit 130 to the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36.

[0085] The third pulse P1c is transmitted by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 through a selection circuit 130 (such as an analog multiplexer) to each sensing pad P1 to P9 located on four sensing bars C9 to C12 (belonging to the third group G3 grouped in the first order). During the period corresponding to the third pulse P1c in the first frame F1, the touch sensing signals RX generated by the sensing bars C9 to C12 in the third group G3 are transmitted through the transfer of the selection circuit 130 to the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36.

[0086] Figure 4 As shown, it is assumed that the scan data SD has the highest level on the sensing bar C4 and the second highest level on the sensing bar C5. In some embodiments, the sensing bar C4 and the sensing bar C5 can be jointly determined as the first touched bar T_COL1 during the period of the first frame F1.

[0087] According to Figure 4 the shown scan data SD, it can be known that the position of the touch event TE may be around the sensing bar C4 and the sensing bar C5. It should be noted that according to the first order adopted in the first frame F1, both the sensing bar C4 and the sensing bar C5 belong to different groups G1 and G2 respectively. In other words, the touch sensing signal RX received by the sensing bar C4 is based on the first pulse P1a, and the touch sensing signal RX received by the sensing bar C5 is based on the second pulse P1b. The above first pulse P1a and second pulse P1b are triggered at different time points. If the intensity of the background noise in the surrounding environment changes drastically between the time points of the first pulse P1a and the second pulse P1b, the scan data SD may be offset or contaminated by the noise due to the background noise.

[0088] Ideally, it is desired to detect the touch event TE based on the touch sensing signals RX collected in the same time period. Therefore, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a way to dynamically change the grouping order, which can change the subsequent grouping order according to the touched bar detected in the previous frame.

[0089] The control register 160 executes step S216 to check whether the first touched bar T_COL1 is detected during the first frame F1. In this case, since the first touched bar T_COL1 (i.e., sensing bars C4 and C5) is indeed detected during the first frame F1, the control register 160 will generate an order control signal CON to the selection circuit 130 (such as an analog multiplexer), whereby the selection circuit 130 designates a second order according to the first touched bar T_COL1.

[0090] When the first touched bar T_COL1 (i.e., sensing bars C4 and C5) is detected during the first frame F1, the selection circuit 130 executes step S222 to group the sensing bars C1 - C12 in the second order during the first frame F2. Please also refer to Figure 5 FIG., which shows a schematic diagram of the scan data SD sensed by each of the different sensing bars C1 - C12 during the second frame F2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0091] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown, during the second frame F2, the selection circuit 130 executes step S222 to group the sensing bars C1 - C12 in the second order. In some embodiments, the second order is an order dynamically designated according to the detection result of the first touched bar T_COL1. According to the second order, the sensing bars C3 - C6 are divided into the first group G1; the sensing bars are divided into the second group G2; the sensing bars C11, C12, C1 and C2 are divided into the third group G3.

[0092] In this example, in the second order, the first touched bar T_COL1 (i.e., sensing bars C4 and C5) and a plurality of adjacent bars around the first touched bar T_COL1 (i.e., sensing bars C3 and C6) are grouped together in the same group, i.e., the first group G1.

[0093] In this example, during the second frame F2, according to the arrangement of the second order, the first touched bar T_COL1 (i.e., sensing bars C4 and C5) is arranged at a position adjacent to the center of the above - mentioned first group G1.

[0094] During the second frame F2, in step S224, the plurality of sensing bars grouped in the above - mentioned second order are scanned to detect the second touched bar T_COL2, as Figure 5 shown. In step S224, the touch trigger signals TX generated by the analog front - end touch sensing units AFE1 - AFE36 of the touch sensing converter 140 during the second frame F2 altogether include three pulses, as Figure 3The first pulse P2a, second pulse P2b, and third pulse P2c shown.

[0095] The first pulse P2a is transmitted by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 through a selection circuit 130 (such as an analog multiplexer) to each sensing pad P1 to P9 located on four sensing bars C3 to C6 (belonging to the first group G1 grouped in the second order). During the period corresponding to the first pulse P2a in the second frame F2, the touch sensing signals RX generated by the sensing bars C3 to C6 in the first group G1 are transmitted through the transfer of the selection circuit 130 to the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36.

[0096] Similarly, the second pulse P2b is transmitted by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 through a selection circuit 130 (such as an analog multiplexer) to each sensing pad P1 to P9 located on four sensing bars C7 to C10 (belonging to the second group G2 grouped in the second order). The third pulse P2c is transmitted by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 through a selection circuit 130 (such as an analog multiplexer) to each sensing pad P1 to P9 located on four sensing bars C11, C12, C1, and C2 (belonging to the third group G3 grouped in the second order).

[0097] As Figure 5 shown, it is assumed that the scan data SD has the highest level on the sensing bar C6 and the second highest level on the sensing bar C5. In some embodiments, the sensing bars C6 and C5 are detected and determined as the second touched bar T_COL2 during the second frame F2.

[0098] Based on Figure 5 the shown scan data SD, it can be seen that the touch event TE may be located around the sensing bar C6 and the sensing bar C5 at this time. The second order adopted in the second frame F2 is an order dynamically specified based on the first touched bar T_COL1 detected in the first frame F1.

[0099] It should be noted that according to the second order adopted in the second frame F2, the sensing bars C6 and C5 are assigned to the same group (the first group G1). In other words, the touch sensing signals RX obtained from the sensing bars C6 and C5 are based on the same first pulse P2a. Even if there is background noise affecting the first pulse P2a, the scan data SD collected from the sensing bars C6 and C5 will be affected by the background noise to the same extent at the same time point. In other words, such grouping can avoid the intensity gap of background noise at different time points, so that the scan data SD collected in this way can have a higher tolerance for background noise.

[0100] In the above embodiments, an example is given based on detecting the first touched column T_COL1 in the first frame F1. On the other hand, if no touched column is detected during the period of the first frame F1, the selection circuit 130 executes step S223 to continue grouping the sensing columns C1 to C12 in the first order (i.e., the preset order) during the second frame F2. In this case, step S225 is executed to scan the sensing columns C1 to C12 grouped in the first order during the second frame F2 to detect the second touched column.

[0101] As Figure 5 shown in the embodiment, the microcontroller unit 150 can detect the second touched column T_COL2 during the second frame F2. Step S226 is executed to check whether the second touched column T_COL2 is detected during the second frame F2.

[0102] Similarly, since the second touched column T_COL2 (i.e., sensing columns C6 and C5) is indeed detected during the second frame F2, the selection circuit 130 executes step S232 to dynamically specify the third order according to the second touched column T_COL2 and group the sensing columns C1 to C12 according to the third order. Please refer to Figure 6 together, which shows a schematic diagram of the scan data SD sensed by each of the different sensing columns C1 to C12 during the third frame F3 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0103] According to the third order, the sensing columns C4 to C7 are divided into the first group G1; the sensing columns C8 to C11 are divided into the second group G2; and the sensing columns C12, C1, C2, and C3 are divided into the third group G3.

[0104] During the third frame F3, step S234 is executed to scan the sensing columns C1 to C12 grouped in the third order to detect the third touched column T_COL3, as Figure 6 shown. In step S234, the touch trigger signals TX generated by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 of the touch sensing converter 140 during the third frame F3 include a total of three pulses, as Figure 3 shown as the first pulse P3a, the second pulse P3b, and the third pulse P3c.

[0105] The first pulse P3a is transmitted by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 through a selection circuit 130 (such as an analog multiplexer) to each sensing pad P1 to P9 located on four sensing columns C4 to C7 (belonging to the first group G1 grouped in the third order). During the period corresponding to the first pulse P3a in the third frame F3, the touch sensing signals RX generated by the sensing columns C4 to C7 in the first group G1 are transmitted through the transfer of the selection circuit 130 to the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36.

[0106] Similarly, the second pulse P3b is transmitted by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 through a selection circuit 130 (such as an analog multiplexer) to each sensing pad P1 to P9 located on four sensing columns C8 to C11 (belonging to the second group G2 grouped in the third order). The third pulse P3c is transmitted by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 through a selection circuit 130 (such as an analog multiplexer) to each sensing pad P1 to P9 located on four sensing columns C12, C1, C2, and C3 (belonging to the third group G3 grouped in the third order).

[0107] In this example, in the third order, the second touched column T_COL2 (i.e., sensing columns C6 and C5) and a plurality of adjacent columns around the second touched column T_COL2 (i.e., sensing columns C7 and C4) are grouped together in the same group, that is, the first group G1.

[0108] In the above embodiment, it is illustrated by way of example that the second touched column T_COL2 is detected in the second frame F2. On the other hand, if no touched column is detected during the period of the second frame F2, the selection circuit 130 executes step S233 to continue grouping the sensing columns C1 to C12 in the first order (i.e., the preset order) during the third frame F3. In this case, step S235 is executed to scan the sensing columns C1 to C12 grouped in the first order during the third frame F3 to detect the second touched column.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the present disclosure provides a touch sensing method that can dynamically change the grouping order between the sensing columns C1 to C12, thereby avoiding the influence of background noise on the scanning signal due to differences in time points. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides another way to avoid the influence caused by differences in different time points of background noise.

[0110] Please refer to Figure 7 together, which shows a schematic diagram of an electronic device 700 in some embodiments of the present disclosure. The electronic device 700 includes a touch display panel 720, a selection circuit 730, a touch sensing converter 740, and a microcontroller unit 750.

[0111] The touch display panel 720 includes a plurality of sensing pads, which are respectively arranged on a plurality of sensing columns C1, C2, C3... C12 and a plurality of sensing rows R1, R2, R3... R9 as shown in Figure 7 shown. The plurality of sensing pads on the touch display panel 120 are respectively arranged at different positions along rows and columns for sensing touch events on the touch display panel 720. As Figure 7 shown, each of the sensing columns C1 to C12 includes nine sensing pads P1, P2, P3... P9 respectively.

[0112] Figure 7 In the embodiment of [], the operations and functions of the touch display panel 720, the selection circuit 730, the touch sensing converter 740, and the microcontroller unit 750 are generally similar to the embodiments of the touch display panel 120, the selection circuit 130, the touch sensing converter 140, and the microcontroller unit 150 in the previous embodiments. The main difference is that the microcontroller unit 750 is used to detect whether there is background noise according to the scan data SD. If the microcontroller unit 750 detects background noise, the microcontroller unit 750 will generate a noise detection signal NOD to the control register 760. Correspondingly, the control register 760 will generate a control signal CON to the selection circuit 730 according to the noise detection signal NOD. The relevant details will be further described in the subsequent embodiments.

[0113] Please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 . Figure 8 FIG. shows a flowchart of a touch sensing method 800 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 9 FIG. shows a signal waveform diagram generated by the electronic device 700 executing the touch sensing method 800 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0114] During the first frame F1, the touch detection method 800 executes step S812 and step S814. Steps S812 and S814 of the touch detection method 800 are similar to steps S212 and step S214 of the touch detection method 200 discussed in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0115] During the first frame F1, the microcontroller unit 750 executes step S816 to detect background noise based on the scan data SD collected in the first frame F1. If no background noise is detected in step S816, during the second frame F2, the touch detection method 800 will execute steps S823 and S825 (similar to steps S223 and S225 in the foregoing embodiments).

[0116] On the other hand, if background noise is detected in step S816, steps S822, S824, S826, and S828 are executed. The selection circuit 730 executes step S822 to combine every K adjacent sense pads in the sense pads along the horizontal direction into a first combination unit, where K is any positive integer. Please refer to Figure 10 for a schematic diagram showing the combination configuration MPh after horizontal combination according to step S822 in some embodiments. As Figure 10 shown, the combination configuration MPh includes a plurality of first combination units H1 to H36 combined along the horizontal direction.

[0117] As Figure 7 and Figure 10 shown, the selection circuit 730 combines the adjacent sense pads P1 on the sense bars C1, C2, and C3 along the horizontal direction into a single first combination unit H1; the selection circuit 730 combines the adjacent sense pads P1 on the sense bars C4, C5, and C6 along the horizontal direction into another first combination unit H2; the selection circuit 730 combines the adjacent sense pads P1 on the sense bars C7, C8, and C9 along the horizontal direction into yet another first combination unit H3; and so on.

[0118] As Figure 7 and Figure 10 shown, during the second frame F2, step S824 is executed to scan the first combination units H1 to H36 (see the combination configuration MPh in Figure 10 ) to detect the first coordinate of the touch event. In step S824, during the second frame F2, the touch trigger signals TX generated by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 of the touch sensing converter 140 include the first pulse P2a (see Figure 9 ) to a plurality of first combination units H1 to H36 (see Figure 10 ). In this case, the scan data generated by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 can be used to detect the row coordinate of the touch event.

[0119] The selection circuit 730 is used to combine three touch sensing signals RX from the first combination unit H1 (i.e., the sense pads P1 on the sense bars C1, C2, and C3) into a single combined signal M1 and send the combined signal M1 to one of the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 of the touch sensing converter 740. Similarly, as Figure 7 and Figure 10 shown, the selection circuit 730 is used to combine three touch sensing signals RX from another first combination unit H2 (i.e., the sense pads P1 on the sense bars C4, C5, and C6) into another combined signal M2 and send this combined signal M2 to another analog front-end touch sensing unit AFE2 of the touch sensing converter 740. Similarly, asFigure 7 and Figure 10 As shown in Figure 10 , the selection circuit 730 is used to combine three touch sensing signals RX from the first combining unit H36 (i.e., the sensing pads P9 on the sensing columns C10, C11, and C12) into another combined signal M36, and send this combined signal M36 to another analog front-end touch sensing unit AFE36 of the touch sensing converter 740.

[0120] In this case, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 shown, the first combining units H1 to H36 on the entire touch panel 720 respond to the pulse P2a to detect the first coordinate (i.e., the row coordinate) of the touch event. In other words, the first combining units H1 to H36 on the entire touch display panel 720 are triggered by the pulse P2a at the same timing to calculate the row coordinate of the touch event. Thereby, the influence of the gap between different background noise levels at different times on the calculation of the row coordinate can be avoided.

[0121] The selection circuit 730 executes step S826 to combine every K adjacent sensing pads in the vertical direction into a plurality of second combining units. Please refer to Figure 11 simultaneously, which shows a schematic diagram of the combined configuration MPv after combining in the vertical direction according to step S826 in some embodiments. As Figure 11 shown, referring to Figure 11 , the combined configuration MPv includes a plurality of second combining units V1 to V36 combined in the vertical direction.

[0122] As Figure 7 and Figure 11 shown, the selection circuit 730 combines the sensing pads P1, P2, and P3 on the sensing column C1 in the vertical direction into the second combining unit V1; the selection circuit 730 combines the sensing pads P1, P2, and P3 on the sensing column C2 in the vertical direction into another second combining unit V2; the selection circuit 730 combines the sensing pads P1, P2, and P3 on the sensing column C3 in the vertical direction into yet another second combining unit V3, and so on.

[0123] As Figure 7 and Figure 11 shown, during the second frame F2, step S828 is executed to scan the second combining units V1 to V36 (see the combined configuration MPv in Figure 11 ) to detect the second coordinate of the touch event. In step S828, during the second frame F2, the touch trigger signals TX generated by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 of the touch sensing converter 140 include the second pulse P2b (see Figure 9 ) to the plurality of second combining units V1 to V36 (see Figure 11)。In this case, the scan data generated by the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 to AFE36 can be used to detect the column coordinates of touch events.

[0124] The selection circuit 730 is used to combine the three touch sensing signals RX of the second combining unit V1 into a single combined signal M1, and transmit the combined signal M1 to one of the analog front-end touch sensing units AFE1 of the touch sensing converter 740. Similarly, as Figure 7 and Figure 11 shown, the selection circuit 730 is used to combine the three touch sensing signals RX from the second combining unit V2 into another combined signal M2, and send the combined signal M2 to another analog front-end touch sensing unit AFE2 of the touch sensing converter 740. Similarly, as Figure 7 and Figure 11 shown, the selection circuit 730 is used to combine the three touch sensing signals RX from the second combining unit V36 into yet another combined signal M36, and transmit the combined signal M36 to yet another analog front-end touch sensing unit AFE36 of the touch sensing converter 740.

[0125] In this case, as Figure 9 and Figure 11 shown, multiple second combining units V1 to V36 on the entire touch display panel 720 respond to the pulse P2b to detect the second coordinate (i.e., column coordinate) of the touch event. In other words, multiple second combining units V1 to V36 on the entire touch display panel 720 will be triggered by the pulse P2b at the same timing to calculate the column coordinates of the touch event. Thereby, the influence of the gap between different background noise levels at different times on the calculation of the column coordinates can be avoided.

[0126] Combining the first coordinate (i.e., row coordinate) detected in step S824 and the second coordinate (i.e., column coordinate) detected in step S828 can be used to determine the X / Y coordinates of the touch event. In this case, the touch sensing method 800 can avoid being affected by the gap between different background noise levels and can maintain the accuracy of touch sensing.

[0127] Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed regarding the above embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Various alternatives and improvements can be implemented by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure is determined by the appended patent application scope.

Claims

1. A touch sensing method, characterized in that, The touch sensing method is applicable to a touch display panel having a plurality of sensing bars, and the touch sensing method includes: During a first frame period, grouping the plurality of sensing bars according to a first order; During the first frame period, scanning the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the first order to detect a first touched bar; During a second frame period, grouping the plurality of sensing bars according to a second order, wherein the second order is specified according to the first touched bar, and in the second order, the first touched bar and a plurality of adjacent bars around the first touched bar are grouped in the same group; And During the second frame period, scanning the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the second order to detect a second touched bar.

2. The touch sensing method according to claim 1, wherein It further includes: During a third frame period, grouping the plurality of sensing bars according to a third order, wherein the third order is specified according to the second touched bar, and in the third order, the second touched bar and a plurality of adjacent bars around the second touched bar are grouped in the same group; and During the third frame period, scanning the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the third order to detect a third touched bar.

3. The touch sensing method according to claim 1, wherein Wherein the touch sensing method includes: In response to no touched bar being detected during the first frame period, grouping the plurality of sensing bars according to the first order during the second frame period; And In response to no touched bar being detected during the first frame period, scanning the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the first order during the second frame period to detect the second touched bar.

4. The touch sensing method according to claim 1, wherein Wherein the first order is a preset order for grouping the plurality of sensing bars.

5. The touch sensing method according to claim 1, wherein Wherein the second order is based on the first touched bar for grouping the plurality of sensing bars.

6. The touch sensing method according to claim 1, wherein Wherein in the second order, the first touched bar is arranged at a central position of the same group.

7. The touch sensing method according to claim 1, wherein Wherein the plurality of sensing bars are grouped by a selection circuit, the selection circuit is coupled between the plurality of sensing bars and a touch sensing converter, and the touch sensing converter is used to receive a plurality of touch sensing signals from the plurality of sensing bars through the selection circuit.

8. The touch sensing method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Wherein the plurality of sensing bars include a plurality of sensing pads, the selection circuit is respectively connected to each of the plurality of sensing pads, the touch sensing converter includes a plurality of analog front-end touch sensing units, and the selection circuit is used to select a part of the plurality of sensing pads and connect the part of the sensing pads to the plurality of analog front-end touch sensing units.

9. A touch sensing method, characterized in that, The touch sensing method is applicable to a touch display panel having a plurality of sensing pads, and the touch sensing method includes: Combining every K adjacent sensing pads among the plurality of sensing pads along a horizontal direction into a plurality of first combining units respectively; Scanning the plurality of first combining units to detect a first coordinate of a touch event; Combining every K adjacent sensing pads among the plurality of sensing pads along a vertical direction into a plurality of second combining units respectively; And Scanning the plurality of second combining units to detect a second coordinate of the touch event.

10. The touch sensing method according to claim 9, wherein, Wherein the first coordinate and the second coordinate are combined to locate the touch event.

11. The touch sensing method according to claim 9, wherein Wherein the plurality of sensing pads are arranged in a plurality of sensing bars, and the touch sensing method further includes: During a first frame period, grouping the plurality of sensing bars according to a first order; During the period of the first frame, scan the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the first order; and Detect a background noise based on the scan data collected during the period of the first frame.

12. The touch sensing method according to claim 11, wherein Comprising:[[]] In response to detecting the background noise, during the period of a second frame, respectively combine every K adjacent sensing pads among the plurality of sensing pads along the horizontal direction into the plurality of first combining units; In response to detecting the background noise, during the period of the second frame, scan the plurality of first combining units to detect the first coordinate of the touch event; In response to detecting the background noise, during the period of the second frame, respectively combine every K adjacent sensing pads among the plurality of sensing pads along the vertical direction into the plurality of second combining units; And In response to detecting the background noise, during the period of the second frame, scan the plurality of second combining units to detect the second coordinate of the touch event.

13. The touch sensing method according to claim 11, wherein Comprising:[[]] In response to not detecting the background noise, during the period of a second frame, group the plurality of sensing bars according to the first order; And In response to not detecting the background noise, during the period of the second frame, scan the plurality of sensing bars grouped according to the first order.

14. The touch sensing method according to claim 9, wherein, Wherein a selection circuit is coupled between the plurality of sensing pads and a touch sensing converter, the touch sensing converter includes a plurality of analog front-end touch sensing units, and the touch sensing converter is used for receiving a plurality of touch sensing signals from the plurality of sensing pads.

15. The touch sensing method according to claim 14, characterized in that, Wherein the selection circuit is used for combining K touch sensing signals from every K adjacent sensing pads into a combined signal and transmitting the combined signal to one of the plurality of analog front-end touch sensing units of the touch sensing converter.

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