Touch chip, touch display device and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a touch chip, a touch display device and electronic equipment. The touch chip comprises a peripheral interface, an analog front end, an analog-to-digital converter and a data memory. The analog front end is configured to emit a test signal and receive an induction signal obtained from the test signal. The analog-to-digital converter is connected with the analog front end and is configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion on the sensing signal to obtain touch data. And the data memory is connected with the analog-to-digital converter and the peripheral interface, and is configured to store the touch data and output the touch data from the peripheral interface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of display technology, and specifically relates to a touch chip, a touch display device and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] With the development of portable electronic devices, touch screens have provided a new interface for human-computer interaction, offering a more direct and user-friendly experience. Integrating a touch screen with a display device allows the display to have touch functionality, enabling input via fingers, stylus, or other tools, making operation more intuitive and convenient.

[0003] Touch operations involve the calculation of touch positions. Currently, the touch positions are calculated and output by a touch control chip (TIC) in a touch display, and the cost of touch chips remains high. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a touch chip, a touch display device, and an electronic device, aiming to solve the problem of high cost of touch chips at least to a certain extent.

[0005] In a first aspect of the present application, a touch control chip is provided, comprising: Peripheral interface; an analog front end configured to transmit a test signal and receive a sensing signal derived from the test signal; an analog-to-digital converter, connected to the analog front end, and configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion on the sensing signal to obtain touch data; A data storage device is connected to the analog-to-digital converter and the peripheral interface, and is configured to store the touch data and output the touch data from the peripheral interface.

[0006] In some implementations, the peripheral interface is a serial peripheral interface.

[0007] In some embodiments, the data storage is a random access memory.

[0008] In some embodiments, the touch control chip further includes: The information storage device is connected to the peripheral device interface and is configured to store configuration information and output the configuration information from the peripheral device interface, wherein the configuration information is used to perform format conversion on the touch data.

[0009] In some embodiments, the information storage device includes at least one of a read-only memory and a flash memory.

[0010] In some embodiments, the touch control chip further includes: A power management unit is connected to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data storage, and is configured to receive an analog power signal and a digital power signal, and provide corresponding power signals to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data storage based on the analog power signal and the digital power signal.

[0011] In some embodiments, the touch control chip further includes: The oscillator is connected to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data memory, and is configured to provide a clock signal to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data memory.

[0012] In some embodiments, the touch signal further includes: A reset port is connected to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data memory, and is configured to receive a reset signal and send the reset signal to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data memory.

[0013] In a second aspect of the present application, a touch display device is provided, comprising: The touch control chip provided in any embodiment of the first aspect; The touch sensor is connected to the analog front end and is configured to receive the test signal and sense the touch operation using the test signal to obtain the sensing signal.

[0014] In a third aspect of the present application, an electronic device is provided, comprising: A touch display device as provided in any embodiment of the second aspect; The processor is connected to the peripheral interface and is configured to receive the touch data and perform calculations based on the touch data to determine a touch position.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments of the present application, the touch chip, touch display device, and electronic device provided, the touch chip includes a peripheral interface, an analog front end, an analog-to-digital converter, and a data storage device. The analog-to-digital converter is connected to the analog front end, and the data storage device is connected to the analog-to-digital converter and the peripheral interface. The analog front end is configured to transmit a test signal and receive a sensing signal obtained from the test signal. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion on the sensing signal to obtain touch data. The data storage device is configured to store the touch data and output the touch data from the peripheral interface. In this way, no microcontroller unit is set in the touch chip to calculate the touch position, which can effectively streamline the architecture of the touch chip, greatly save the implementation cost of the touch chip, reduce the process of the touch chip, and reduce the power consumption of the touch chip, so that the touch chip has a significant advantage in cost performance. In addition, the data storage device outputs the touch data of the touch chip from the peripheral interface, which can be transmitted to the processor in the electronic device. The processor in the electronic device calculates the touch position based on the touch data to meet the touch requirements. In addition, compared with the microcontroller unit in the touch chip, the processor in the electronic device has higher performance and faster computing speed, can process touch data faster, calculate the touch position, and improve touch performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a touch chip in one or more embodiments of the present application is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a touch control chip in another embodiment of the present application.

[0019] Figure 3 FIG2 shows a schematic structural diagram of a touch control chip in another embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 4 FIG2 shows a schematic structural diagram of a touch control chip in another embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 5 FIG2 shows a schematic structural diagram of a touch control chip in another embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a touch display device in one or more embodiments of the present application is shown.

[0023] Figure 7A schematic structural diagram of an electronic device in one or more embodiments of the present application is shown.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals: 10 - peripheral interface, 20 - analog front end, 30 - analog-to-digital converter, 40 - data memory, 50 - message memory, 60 - power management unit, 70 - oscillator, 80 - reset port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to enable those skilled in the art to understand the present application more clearly, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] Figure 1 For a schematic diagram of the structure of the touch chip in one or more embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 1 In a first aspect embodiment of the present application, a touch control chip is provided, which includes a peripheral interface (English: Peripheral Interface) 10, an analog front end (English: Analog Front End, abbreviated: AFE) 20, an analog-to-digital converter (English: Analog-to-Digital Converter, abbreviated: ADC) 30 and a data memory 40. The analog front end 20 is configured to transmit a test signal and receive a sensing signal obtained from the test signal. The analog-to-digital converter 30 is connected to the analog front end 20 and is configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion on the sensing signal to obtain touch data. The data memory 40 is connected to the analog-to-digital converter 30 and the peripheral interface 10, and is configured to store the touch data and output the touch data from the peripheral interface.

[0027] In this embodiment, the peripheral interface 10 is used to connect to external devices and serves as a bridge for communication between the touch chip and the external devices, enabling functions such as data transmission, control signal transmission, and status information exchange. For example, the peripheral interface 10 is connected to a processor in an electronic device (an external device of the touch chip), and data from the touch chip can be transmitted to the processor via the peripheral interface 10, or data from the processor can be transmitted to the touch chip. Alternatively, the processor can send control signals to the touch chip via the peripheral interface 10, or status information from the touch chip can be sent to the processor via the peripheral interface 10.

[0028] The analog front end 20 is used to connect to sensors and condition the analog signals from the sensors to make them suitable for subsequent signal processing and analysis. For example, the analog front end 20 may include an amplifier for amplifying weak sensor output signals, a filter for removing noise and / or unwanted frequency components from the sensor signals, or other components including amplifiers and filters.

[0029] Alternatively, the AFE 20 can first transmit a test signal to the touch sensor to generate an electric field on the touch sensor surface. When a finger or other conductive object approaches or contacts the touch sensor surface, the electric field distribution changes, causing a change in capacitance. The touch sensor captures this capacitance change and converts it into an electrical signal, generating and outputting a sensing signal. The AFE 20 then receives a sensing signal derived from the test signal from the touch sensor and conditions it.

[0030] The analog-to-digital converter 30 converts continuous analog signals into discrete digital signals, bridging the gap between the analog and digital worlds for subsequent processing, storage, and transmission. The operation of the analog-to-digital converter 30 primarily involves three steps: sampling, quantization, and encoding. Sampling involves sampling the analog signal at a specific frequency, discretizing the continuous analog signal. Quantization involves converting the sampled continuous voltage or current values into a finite number of discrete levels. Encoding involves converting the quantized discrete levels into binary digital codes.

[0031] The data memory 40 is a device for storing data.

[0032] The touch chip includes a peripheral interface 10, an analog front end 20, an analog-to-digital converter 30, and a data memory 40. The analog-to-digital converter 30 is connected to the analog front end 20, and the data memory 40 is connected to the analog-to-digital converter 30 and the peripheral interface 10. The analog front end 20 is configured to transmit a test signal and receive a sensing signal derived from the test signal. The analog-to-digital converter 30 is configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion on the sensing signal to obtain touch data. The data memory 40 is configured to store the touch data and output the touch data from the peripheral interface 10. This eliminates the need for a microcontroller unit (MCU) to calculate the touch position in the touch chip, effectively streamlining the touch chip architecture, significantly reducing the implementation cost of the touch chip, reducing the process of the touch chip, and lowering the power consumption of the touch chip, resulting in a significant cost-effectiveness advantage for the touch chip. Furthermore, the data memory 40 outputs the touch data of the touch chip from the peripheral interface 10 and can be transmitted to a processor in the electronic device. The processor in the electronic device calculates the touch position based on the touch data to meet touch control requirements. In addition, compared with the microcontroller unit in the touch chip, the processor in the electronic device has higher performance and faster computing speed, can process touch data faster, calculate the touch position, and improve touch performance.

[0033] For example, the peripheral interface 10 may be a serial peripheral interface (SPI). In related art, touch control chips equipped with an MCU use an inter-integrated circuit (IIC) interface, which limits the data transmission rate to accommodate the processing rate of the MCU. The SPI is a high-speed, full-duplex synchronous serial communication interface. Replacing the IIC interface can avoid the data transmission rate limitation. Currently, the SPI data transmission rate can reach 32 MHz, which is fully capable of accommodating the data transmission rate of touch control data.

[0034] For example, the data memory 40 may be a random access memory (RAM). RAM is used to temporarily store data and has the characteristics of random access, volatility, and high access speed. It allows data stored at any location to be accessed in almost the same time, which can well meet the requirements for reading touch data.

[0035] Figure 2 For a structural diagram of a touch chip in another embodiment of the present application, please refer to Figure 2In some embodiments, the touch control chip may further include an information memory 50. The information memory 50 is connected to the peripheral interface 10 and is configured to store configuration information and output the configuration information from the peripheral interface 10. The configuration information is used to convert the format of the touch control data.

[0036] In actual applications, different electronic devices have different requirements for the format of touch data. Configuration information containing the format requirements can be stored in the information storage 50 in advance to facilitate subsequent calls and then convert the touch data format according to the configuration information.

[0037] In one possible embodiment, information storage 50 may include read-only memory (ROM). ROM is a non-volatile memory that retains data even after power failure, meeting the storage requirements for configuration information. Furthermore, ROM can store fixed information and is suitable for storing configuration information that is not intended to be changed.

[0038] In another possible embodiment, information storage 50 may include flash memory. Flash memory is also a non-volatile memory that retains data even after a power outage, thus meeting the storage requirements for configuration information. Furthermore, flash memory can quickly erase and rewrite data, making it suitable for storing configuration information that is subject to change.

[0039] In another possible embodiment, the information storage 50 may include a read-only memory and a flash memory, which are respectively connected to the peripheral interface 10 , and different configuration information can be stored in the read-only memory and the flash memory as needed.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of a touch chip in another embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 In some embodiments, the touch control chip may further include a power management unit (PMU) 60. The PMU 60 is connected to the analog front end 20, the analog-to-digital converter 30, and the data memory 40, and is configured to receive analog power signals and digital power signals, and provide corresponding power signals to the analog front end 20, the analog-to-digital converter 30, and the data memory 40 based on the analog power signals and the digital power signals.

[0041] The power management unit 60 manages and controls the power supply within the touch chip, primarily including power supply management, battery management, energy conservation management, temperature management, fault management, power switching, and power monitoring. Power management 60 adjusts the power supply's output voltage and current as needed to ensure stable operation of the touch chip. It also monitors the battery's status and controls charging and discharging to extend battery life. It also controls the touch chip's operating state to reduce idle power consumption. It also monitors the touch chip's temperature to prevent overheating and, if a component within the touch chip malfunctions, takes appropriate measures to protect other components.

[0042] By receiving external power, converting and regulating it internally, it provides the power output required by each part of the touch chip.

[0043] For example, when the touch control chip further includes an information memory 50 , the power management unit 60 may also be connected to the information memory 50 and configured to provide a corresponding power signal to the information memory 50 .

[0044] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a touch chip in another embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 In some embodiments, the touch control chip may further include an oscillator 70 . The oscillator 70 is connected to the analog front end 20 , the analog-to-digital converter 30 , and the data memory 40 , and is configured to provide a clock signal to the analog front end 20 , the analog-to-digital converter 30 , and the data memory 40 .

[0045] Illustratively, when the touch control chip further includes an information memory 50 , the oscillator 70 may also be connected to the information memory 50 and configured to provide a clock signal to the information memory 50 .

[0046] Illustratively, when the touch control chip further includes a power management unit 60 , the power management unit 60 may also be connected to the oscillator 70 and configured to provide a corresponding power signal to the oscillator 70 .

[0047] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of a touch chip in another embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 In some embodiments, the touch control chip may further include a reset port 80. The reset port 80 is connected to the analog front end 20, the analog-to-digital converter 30, and the data memory 40, and is configured to receive a reset signal and send the reset signal to the analog front end 20, the analog-to-digital converter 30, and the data memory 40.

[0048] Exemplarily, when the touch control chip further includes an information memory 50 , the reset port 80 may also be connected to the information memory 50 and configured to send a reset signal to the information memory 50 .

[0049] Illustratively, when the touch control chip further includes a power management unit 60 , the reset port 80 may also be connected to the power management unit 60 and configured to send a reset signal to the power management unit 60 .

[0050] Illustratively, when the touch control chip further includes an oscillator 70 , the reset port 80 may also be connected to the oscillator 70 and configured to send a reset signal to the vibrator 70 .

[0051] Figure 6 For a structural diagram of a touch display device in one or more embodiments of the present application, please refer to Figure 6 In a second embodiment of the present application, a touch display device is provided, comprising a touch chip 100 and a touch sensor 200. The touch chip 100 is any of the touch chips provided in the aforementioned embodiments. The touch sensor 200 is connected to the analog front end 20 and is configured to receive a test signal and use the test signal to sense a touch operation to obtain a sensing signal.

[0052] In some embodiments, the touch sensor 200 may include a plurality of first touch signal lines and a plurality of second touch signal lines. The first touch signal lines are connected to the analog front end 20 and configured to receive and transmit test signals from the analog front end 20. The second touch signal lines are connected to the analog front end 20 and configured to generate and output sensing signals to the analog front end 20.

[0053] Exemplarily, the plurality of first touch signal lines are parallel to each other, the plurality of second touch signal lines are parallel to each other, and the first touch signal lines are insulated and overlapped with the second touch signal lines.

[0054] Figure 7 For a structural diagram of an electronic device in one or more embodiments of the present application, please refer to Figure 7 In a third embodiment of the present application, an electronic device is provided, comprising a touch display device 300 and a processor 400. The touch display device 300 is the touch display device provided in any of the above embodiments. The processor 400 is connected to the peripheral interface 10 and is configured to receive touch data and perform calculations based on the touch data to determine a touch position.

[0055] In some embodiments, the processor 400 may be further configured to receive configuration information and perform format conversion on the touch data according to the configuration information.

[0056] Exemplarily, the processor 400 can also be configured to store the format-converted touch data to the data storage 40 through the peripheral interface 10, so as to subsequently obtain the format-converted touch data from the data storage 40 through the peripheral interface 10, and perform calculations based on the format-converted touch data to determine the touch position.

[0057] Exemplarily, the processor 400 may also be configured to perform calculations based on the touch data after format conversion to determine the touch position.

[0058] In actual applications, the processor 400 first obtains the touch data before format conversion from the data memory 40 through the peripheral interface 10, converts the touch data according to the configuration information, and stores the converted touch data in the data memory 40 through the peripheral interface 10. The processor 400 then obtains the converted touch data from the data memory 40 through the peripheral interface 10, performs calculations based on the converted touch data, and determines the touch position. The processor 400 can also first obtain the touch data before format conversion from the data memory 40 through the peripheral interface 10, convert the touch data according to the configuration information, and then directly perform calculations based on the converted touch data to determine the touch position.

[0059] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0060] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise" and "counterclockwise" indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0061] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "connect," "fix," etc. should be understood broadly. For example, "fix" can mean fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; it can mean mechanical connection or electrical connection; it can mean direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on specific circumstances.

[0062] In addition, the terms "first," "second," and so on, used in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0063] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and intent of the present application, and that the scope of the present application is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A touch chip, characterized in that: The touch control chip includes: Peripheral interface; an analog front end configured to transmit a test signal and receive a sensing signal derived from the test signal; an analog-to-digital converter, connected to the analog front end, and configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion on the sensing signal to obtain touch data; A data storage device is connected to the analog-to-digital converter and the peripheral interface, and is configured to store the touch data and output the touch data from the peripheral interface.

2. The touch control chip according to claim 1, wherein: The peripheral interface is a serial peripheral interface.

3. The touch control chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The data memory is a random access memory.

4. The touch control chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The touch control chip further includes: The information storage device is connected to the peripheral device interface and is configured to store configuration information and output the configuration information from the peripheral device interface, wherein the configuration information is used to perform format conversion on the touch data.

5. The touch control chip according to claim 4, characterized in that: The information storage device includes at least one of a read-only memory and a flash memory.

6. The touch control chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The touch control chip further includes: A power management unit is connected to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data storage, and is configured to receive an analog power signal and a digital power signal, and provide corresponding power signals to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data storage based on the analog power signal and the digital power signal.

7. The touch control chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The touch control chip further includes: The oscillator is connected to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data memory, and is configured to provide a clock signal to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data memory.

8. The touch control chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The touch signal also includes: A reset port is connected to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data memory, and is configured to receive a reset signal and send the reset signal to the analog front end, the analog-to-digital converter and the data memory.

9. A touch display device, characterized in that: The touch display device includes: The touch control chip according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The touch sensor is connected to the analog front end and is configured to receive the test signal and sense the touch operation using the test signal to obtain the sensing signal.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that: The electronic device comprises: The touch display device according to claim 9; The processor is connected to the peripheral interface and is configured to receive the touch data and perform calculations based on the touch data to determine a touch position.

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