Electronic device, touch sensing circuit, and touch sensing method

Abstract

An electronic device, a touch sensing circuit, and a touch sensing method are provided. The electronic device includes a touch panel and a touch sensing circuit. The touch panel includes a plurality of first signal lines and a plurality of second signal lines. The touch panel is to perform a touch sensing operation during a touch sensing period. The touch sensing period includes a first sensing period and a second sensing period. The touch sensing circuit is to drive the touch panel to perform the touch sensing operation during the touch sensing period. The touch sensing circuit is to receive first touch sensing data from the touch panel during the first sensing period and to receive second touch sensing data from the touch panel during the second sensing period. The touch sensing circuit is to determine a location of a touch event on the touch panel according to a comparison result of the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic device, a touch sensing circuit, and a touch sensing method. Background Technology

[0002] Many factors can affect the operation of a touch system. For example, water falling onto the touch panel can cause changes in the electric field between the electrodes, leading to false touches or malfunctions. Similarly, noise from the charger and interference from high-powered devices can enter the touch system through the electrodes, affecting its sensitivity and causing misjudgments or no response.

[0003] In hover touch applications, poor grounding of the human body can cause changes in the electric field when a large area is pressed, resulting in a different outcome than when the finger is grounded. This can cause the touch system to fail to recognize fingers or other touches (such as water), affecting the accuracy of touch operations. Therefore, when designing a touch system, it is necessary to consider these external interferences and take appropriate protective measures to ensure stable operation.

[0004] In the prior art, in order to avoid the influence of chargers and other related interference on the touch system, filters are designed in the touch chip to allow the operating frequency of the touch system to pass through and block external noise of the operating frequency.

[0005] However, filter designs are typically complex, and external noise is only attenuated to a certain extent in the frequency conversion region. Furthermore, using a substandard charger can also cause the touch system to malfunction. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides an electronic device, a touch sensing circuit, and a touch sensing method that can avoid misjudging the target object being sensed.

[0007] This invention provides an electronic device including a touch panel and a touch sensing circuit. The touch panel includes a plurality of first signal lines and a plurality of second signal lines. The touch panel is used to perform touch sensing operations during touch sensing. The touch sensing period includes a first sensing period and a second sensing period. The touch sensing circuit is coupled to the touch panel. The touch sensing circuit is used to drive the touch panel to perform touch sensing operations during the touch sensing period. The touch sensing circuit receives first touch sensing data from the touch panel during the first sensing period and receives second touch sensing data from the touch panel during the second sensing period. The touch sensing circuit determines the location of a touch event on the touch panel based on a comparison result of the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data.

[0008] This invention provides a touch sensing circuit, including a touch controller. The touch controller is coupled to a touch panel. The touch controller drives the touch panel to perform touch sensing operations during touch sensing. The touch sensing period includes a first sensing period and a second sensing period. During the first sensing period, the touch controller receives first touch sensing data from the touch panel, and during the second sensing period, it receives second touch sensing data from the touch panel. The touch controller determines the location of a touch event on the touch panel based on a comparison between the first and second touch sensing data.

[0009] This invention provides a touch sensing method, comprising: performing a touch sensing operation during a touch sensing period, wherein the touch sensing period includes a first sensing period and a second sensing period; receiving first touch sensing data from a touch panel during the first sensing period and receiving second touch sensing data from the touch panel during the second sensing period; comparing the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data to obtain a comparison result; and determining the location of a touch event on the touch panel based on the comparison result of the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the touch panel in the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of first touch sensing data during the first sensing period, as shown in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data during the second sensing period, as shown in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of first touch sensing data during a first sensing period, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data during a second sensing period, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data during a second sensing period, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of first touch sensing data during a first sensing period, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data during a second sensing period, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of first touch sensing data during a first sensing period, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 7B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data during a second sensing period, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a touch sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0023] The following embodiments are provided to illustrate the present invention in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the provided embodiments, and the provided embodiments can be appropriately combined. The terms "coupled / coupled" or "connected / connected" as used in the specification (including the claims) of this application may refer to any direct or indirect connection means. For example, "the first device is coupled to the second device" should be interpreted as "the first device is directly connected to the second device" or "the first device is indirectly connected to the second device through other devices or connection means." The term "signal" may refer to current, voltage, charge, temperature, data, electromagnetic waves, or any one or more signals. Furthermore, the term "and / or" may refer to "at least one of...". For example, "the first signal and / or the second signal" should be interpreted as "at least one of the first signal and the second signal."

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the touch panel in the embodiment. Please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The electronic device 100 includes electronic circuitry 110 and a touch panel 120. The electronic circuitry 110 is configured to be coupled to the touch panel 120. The electronic circuitry 110 is at least adapted to drive the touch panel 120 to perform touch sensing operations during touch sensing.

[0025] Specifically, the electronic circuit 110 includes a touch sensing circuit 112. The touch panel 120 includes a plurality of first signal lines TX1 to TXn, a plurality of second signal lines RX1 to RXm, and a plurality of touch sensors 122. The number of first signal lines TX1 to TXn may be equal to or different from the number of second signal lines RX1 to RXm. The touch sensing circuit 112 is configured to drive and control the touch sensors 122 to sense touch events on the touch panel 120 via the first signal lines TX1 to TXn and the second signal lines RX1 to RXm.

[0026] In an embodiment, the touch sensing circuit 112 may include a touch controller, an analog front end (AFE) circuit, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit, and other functional circuitry for touch sensing operations. The touch controller is configured to drive the touch panel 120 to perform touch sensing operations during touch sensing. The timing controller may be a processor with computing capabilities. Alternatively, the timing controller may be designed using hardware description languages ​​(HDL) or any other digital circuit design method familiar to those skilled in the art, and may be hardware circuitry implemented using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Furthermore, sufficient teaching, suggestions, and implementation details regarding the hardware structure of the touch sensing circuit 112 are available with reference to common knowledge in the related art, and therefore will not be elaborated further herein.

[0027] In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be an electronic device with display function, touch sensing function, and fingerprint sensing function. In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be, but is not limited to, a smartphone, a non-smartphone, a wearable electronic device, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and other portable electronic devices that can operate independently and have display function, touch sensing function, and fingerprint sensing function. In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be, but is not limited to, a portable or non-portable electronic device in a vehicle intelligent system. In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be, but is not limited to, a smart home appliance, such as a television, computer, refrigerator, washing machine, telephone, induction cooker, table lamp, etc.

[0028] In this embodiment, the touch sensing period includes a first sensing period and a second sensing period. During the first sensing period, the touch sensing circuit 112 receives a first sensing signal S1, including first touch sensing data, from the touch panel 120. During the first sensing period, the touch sensing circuit 112 also receives a second sensing signal S2, including second touch sensing data, from the touch panel 120. The touch sensing circuit 112 compares the first sensing data with the second sensing data to determine the touch location of the touch event. The touch event can be a finger touch, a stylus touch, or a hover touch. By comparing the first and second sensing data, the touch sensing circuit 112 can distinguish between touch events and noise interference. Noise interference can originate from a charger or a large area of ​​water or other liquids. Therefore, the touch sensing circuit 112 can determine the location of the touch event on the touch panel based on the comparison result of the first and second touch sensing data.

[0029] Specifically, Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of first touch sensing data DT1 during the first sensing period T1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data DT2 during a second sensing period T2, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first sensing period T1 may be performed before or after the second sensing period T2.

[0030] exist Figure 3A In the first sensing period T1, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn serve as driving lines, and the second signal lines RX1 to RXm serve as sensing lines. The touch sensing circuit 112 outputs a driving signal Sd to the first signal lines TX1 to TXn and receives a first sensing signal S1 from the second signal lines RX1 to RXm. The driving signal Sd can be a sine wave, a square wave, or a triangle wave. The first sensing signal S1 includes first touch sensing data DT1.

[0031] In this embodiment, the touch event 200 occurs at node N2 of the second signal line RX2. However, due to the influence of the noise signal VCHR from the charger (not shown) on the nodes of the second signal line RX2, nodes N2 and N6 have large sensing values ​​of 302A and 306A, for example, 50, where the sensing value may be a capacitance change.

[0032] exist Figure 3B In the second sensing period T2, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn serve as sensing lines, and the second signal lines RX1 to RXm serve as driving lines. The touch sensing circuit 112 outputs a driving signal Sd to the second signal lines RX1 to RXm and receives a second sensing signal S2 from the first signal lines TX1 to TXn. The second sensing signal S2 includes second touch sensing data DT2.

[0033] During the second sensing period T2, common-mode interference from the noise signal VCHR and the drive signal Sd will not appear on the first signal line TX2. In this example, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn are used to sense touch charge to distinguish the noise interference VCHR. Therefore, the second touch sensing data DT2 can correctly include the sensing value 302B. The positive sensing value 302B is a characteristic sensing value and indicates that the touch event 200 occurs at node N2 of the second signal line RX2. The characteristic sensing value is used as a reference for determining the touch event 200. In this example, the characteristic sensing value is used to indicate the location of the touch event on the touch panel 200. The touch sensing circuit 112 can distinguish the touch event 200 from noise interference (e.g., the noise signal VCHR) by comparing the first touch sensing data DT1 with the second touch sensing data DT2. The touch sensing circuit 112 can correctly determine that the touch event 200 occurs at node N2 of the second signal line RX2.

[0034] In another embodiment, the drive signal Sd can be a direct current (DC) signal. In this example, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn are used to sense interference charges to distinguish noise interference VCHR. The noise signal VCHR will not appear on the first signal line TX2. Therefore, the touch sensing circuit 112 can still distinguish the touch event 200 from the noise interference VCHR by comparing the first touch sensing data DT1 with the second touch sensing data DT2.

[0035] In another embodiment, the touch sensing circuit 112 can drive the first signal lines TX1 to TXn in a self-capacitance sensing manner to sense self-capacitance charge and distinguish noise interference VCHR. That is, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn serve as both driving and sensing lines during the second sensing period T2. The touch sensing circuit 112 applies driving signals to the first signal lines TX1 to TXn and receives sensing signals via the first signal lines TX1 to TXn. In this example, the touch sensing circuit 112 can still distinguish touch event 200 from noise interference VCHR by comparing the first touch sensing data DT1 with the second touch sensing data DT2.

[0036] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of first touch sensing data DT1 during the first sensing period T1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data DT2 during a second sensing period T2, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first signal lines TX1 to TXn are used to sense charge to determine whether a hover touch 400 occurs. The position of the hover touch 400 is centered on node N1.

[0037] Specifically, during the first sensing period T1, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn serve as driving lines, and the second signal lines RX1 to RXm serve as sensing lines. The sensing value 401A indicates that the change in the electric field of the hover touch 400 will cause the mutual capacitance value in the central region to become negative, while the mutual capacitance value in the edge region will become positive. In this example, the change in mutual capacitance at the center point might be misinterpreted as no touch; therefore, if the touch sensing circuit 112 only considers the first touch sensing data DT1, it might misinterpret that no touch has occurred.

[0038] During the second sensing period T2, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn serve as sensing lines, and the second signal lines RX1 to RXm serve as driving lines. The first signal lines TX1 to TXn are used to sense charge to determine whether a hover touch 400 has occurred. The sensing value 401B corresponding to the center region of the hover touch 400 is positive. The positive sensing value 401B is a characteristic sensing value and indicates that the sensing target is the hover touch 400 and that it occurs at node N1 of the second signal line RX2. Therefore, the touch sensing circuit 112 can determine the position of the hover touch 400 by comparing the first touch sensing data DT1 with the second touch sensing data DT2.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data DT2 during a second sensing period T2, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first signal lines TX1 to TXn are used to sense charge to distinguish water in a large area 500.

[0040] Specifically, during the first sensing period T1, the sensed value of water in the large area 500 is similar to the sensed value 401A, but the sensed value 501B obtained during the second sensing period T2 is different. The change in the electric field of the water in the large area 500 will also cause the mutual capacitance value of the central region to become negative, while the mutual capacitance value of the edge region will become positive. The sensed value 501B corresponding to the central region of the water in the large area 500 is negative. The negative sensed value 501B is a characteristic sensed value and indicates that the sensed target is water and is located on the large area 500 around node N1 of the second signal line RX2. Therefore, the touch sensing circuit 112 can distinguish between the water in the large area 500 and the floating touch 400 by comparing the first touch sensing data DT1 and the second touch sensing data DT2.

[0041] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of first touch sensing data DT1 during the first sensing period T1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6BThis is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data DT2 during the second sensing period T2, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, first signal lines TX1 to TXn are used to sense charge to distinguish between the suspended touch 400 and the water in the large area region 500. The positions of the suspended touch 400 and the water in the large area region 500 are centered at nodes N1 and N5, respectively.

[0042] Sensing values ​​601A and 602A are obtained during the first sensing period T1. In this example, if only the first touch sensing data DT1 is considered, the touch sensing circuit 112 will be unable to distinguish between the floating touch 400 and the water in the large area 500.

[0043] During the second sensing period T2, a positive sensing value 601B indicates that the hover touch 400 occurs at node N1 of the second signal line RX2, and a negative sensing value 602B indicates that water is located in a large area around node N1 of the second signal line RX2. Therefore, the touch sensing circuit 112 can distinguish between the hover touch 400 and the water in the large area 500 by comparing the first touch sensing data DT1 and the second touch sensing data DT2.

[0044] exist Figures 3A to 6B In one embodiment, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn are used to sense charge during the second sensing period T2, but the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the second signal lines RX1 to RXm are used to sense charge during the second sensing period T2. For example, in Figure 3B In this example, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn can serve as drive lines during the second sensing period T2, and the second signal lines can serve as sensing lines during the second sensing period T2. For another example, in the self-capacitance sensing example, the second signal lines RX1 to RXm can serve as both drive lines and sensing lines during the second sensing period T2.

[0045] Taking the suspended touch 400 and the large area 500 water as examples, Figure 7A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of first touch sensing data DT1 during the first sensing period T1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the acquisition of second touch sensing data DT2 during a second sensing period T2, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, second signal lines RX1 to RXm are used to sense charge during the second sensing period T2 to distinguish between the suspended touch 400 and the water in the large area region 500. The positions of the suspended touch 400 and the water in the large area region 500 are centered at nodes N1 and N4, respectively.

[0046] Sensing values ​​701A and 702A are obtained during the first sensing period T1. In this example, if only the first touch sensing data DT1 is considered, the touch sensing circuit 112 cannot distinguish between the floating touch 400 and the water in the large area 500.

[0047] During the second sensing period T2, the first signal lines TX1 to TXn serve as driving lines, and the second signal lines RX1 to RXm serve as sensing lines. A positive sensing value 701B indicates that the hover touch 400 occurs at node N1 of the second signal line RX2, and a negative sensing value 702B indicates that water is located in a large area around node N1 of the second signal line RX2. Therefore, the touch sensing circuit 112 can distinguish between the hover touch 400 and the water in the large area 500 by comparing the first touch sensing data DT1 and the second touch sensing data DT2.

[0048] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a touch sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 8 In this embodiment, the touch sensing method is at least suitable for Figure 1 The present invention relates to an electronic device 100, but is not limited thereto. Taking the electronic device 100 as an example, in step S100, the touch sensing circuit 112 performs a touch sensing operation during touch sensing. The touch sensing period includes a first sensing period T1 and a second sensing period T2. In step S110, the touch sensing circuit 112 receives first touch sensing data DT1 from the touch panel 120 during the first sensing period T1, and receives second touch sensing data DT2 from the touch panel 120 during the second sensing period T2. In step S120, the touch sensing circuit 112 compares the first touch sensing data DT1 and the second touch sensing data DT2 to obtain a comparison result. In step S130, the touch sensing circuit 112 determines the position of the touch event on the touch panel 120 based on the comparison result of the first touch sensing data DT1 and the second touch sensing data DT2.

[0049] The touch sensing method described in this embodiment of the invention can be used in... Figures 1 to 7B The examples shown provide sufficient teaching, suggestions and implementation instructions, and therefore will not be repeated here.

[0050] In summary, in the embodiments of the present invention, in the event of a water droplet affecting the touch panel, the touch sensing circuit can identify water and ignore the water droplet in response to a finger touch. In the event of a hover touch, the touch sensing circuit can automatically filter or adjust its sensitivity to avoid misinterpreting it as a touch event.

[0051] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: A touch panel includes a plurality of first signal lines and a plurality of second signal lines, and is used to perform a touch sensing operation during touch sensing, wherein the touch sensing period includes a first sensing period and a second sensing period; as well as A touch sensing circuit is coupled to the touch panel and is used to drive the touch panel to perform the touch sensing operation during the touch sensing. The touch sensing circuit receives first touch sensing data from the touch panel during the first sensing period and receives second touch sensing data from the touch panel during the second sensing period, and the touch sensing circuit determines the position of the touch event on the touch panel based on the comparison result of the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first signal lines serve as drive lines during the first sensing period, and the plurality of second signal lines serve as sensing lines during the first sensing period.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first signal lines serve as sensing lines during the second sensing period, and the plurality of second signal lines serve as driving lines during the second sensing period.

4. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first signal lines serve as drive lines during the second sensing period, and the plurality of second signal lines serve as sensing lines during the second sensing period.

5. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first signal lines serve as drive lines and sensing lines during the second sensing.

6. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of second signal lines serve as drive lines and sensing lines during the second sensing.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensing circuit compares the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data to obtain the comparison result.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second touch sensing data includes feature sensing values, and the feature sensing values ​​are used as a reference for determining touch events.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the feature sensing value indicates the location of the touch event on the touch panel.

10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the feature sensing value indicates that the sensing target is the touch event or noise interference.

11. A touch sensing circuit, comprising: A touch controller, coupled to a touch panel, is used to drive the touch panel to perform touch sensing operations during touch sensing, wherein the touch sensing period includes a first sensing period and a second sensing period. The touch controller receives first touch sensing data from the touch panel during the first sensing period and receives second touch sensing data from the touch panel during the second sensing period, and the touch controller determines the position of the touch event on the touch panel based on the comparison result of the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data.

12. The touch sensing circuit of claim 11, wherein the touch controller compares the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data to obtain the comparison result.

13. The touch sensing circuit of claim 11, wherein the second touch sensing data report includes feature sensing values, and the feature sensing values ​​are used as a reference for touch event determination.

14. The touch sensing circuit of claim 13, wherein the feature sensing value indicates the location of the touch event on the touch panel.

15. The touch sensing circuit of claim 13, wherein the feature sensing value indicates that the sensing target is the touch event or noise interference.

16. A touch sensing method, comprising: A touch sensing operation is performed during touch sensing, wherein the touch sensing period includes a first sensing period and a second sensing period; During the first sensing period, first touch sensing data is received from the touch panel, and during the second sensing period, second touch sensing data is received from the touch panel; Compare the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data to obtain a comparison result; as well as The location of the touch event on the touch panel is determined based on the comparison result of the first touch sensing data and the second touch sensing data.

17. The touch sensing method of claim 16, wherein the second touch sensing data report includes feature sensing values, and the feature sensing values ​​are used as a reference for touch event determination.

18. The touch sensing method of claim 17, wherein the feature sensing value indicates the location of the touch event on the touch panel.

19. The touch sensing method of claim 17, wherein the feature sensing value indicates that the sensing target is the touch event or noise interference.

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