Capacitive sensing knob or slider device with its touch processing device and touch system

Abstract

A detection method of an input device, wherein the input device comprises an input electrode, a driving electrode and a plurality of sensing electrodes which are not in contact with each other, wherein each of the plurality of sensing electrodes has the same distance to the driving electrode, and a specific part of the input electrode covers the driving electrode and one or two of the plurality of sensing electrodes at the same time, the detection method of the input device comprises: sending a driving signal from the driving electrode; simultaneously detecting a plurality of signal strengths of the driving signal sensed by the plurality of sensing electrodes; and determining a position between the specific part and the plurality of sensing electrodes according to the plurality of signal strengths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to input devices, and more particularly to capacitively sensing touch knobs and sliders. Background Technology

[0002] Knobs and sliders are common control components on control panels. However, traditional knobs and sliders have moving parts with electrical contact, which are prone to wear and failure. Therefore, there is an urgent need for capacitive touch knobs and sliders that do not require electrical contact in order to increase their service life. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to solve one of the aforementioned problems.

[0004] According to one embodiment of this application, a method for detecting an input device is provided, wherein the input device includes an input electrode, a driving electrode, and a plurality of sensing electrodes that are not in contact with each other, wherein each of the plurality of sensing electrodes is equidistant from the driving electrode, and a specific portion of the input electrode simultaneously covers one or two of the driving electrode and the plurality of sensing electrodes. The method for detecting the input device includes: emitting a driving signal from the driving electrode; simultaneously detecting a plurality of signal intensities of the driving signal sensed by the plurality of sensing electrodes; and determining the position between the specific portion and the plurality of sensing electrodes based on the plurality of signal intensities.

[0005] According to one embodiment of this application, a capacitive sensing knob device is provided, comprising: a knob electrode area, which includes: a plurality of first ring electrodes, which are evenly disposed on the circumference of a first circle, each of the first ring electrodes having the same area, each of the first ring electrodes having a similar shape and pointing concentrically towards the center of the first circle; and a second ring electrode, which is disposed on the circumference of a second circle, the first circle and the second circle being concentric circles; and a knob that rotates around the center of the circle, the knob including a first knob electrode, wherein when the knob is pointed to a first angle, the first knob electrode simultaneously covers a portion of two adjacent first ring electrodes and a portion of the second ring electrode.

[0006] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to indicate the direction of the knob, the number of the plurality of first ring electrodes is N, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 3, wherein when the knob is pointed to the first angle, the first knob electrode does not cover one of the first ring electrodes at the same time, but covers a portion of the remaining (N-1) adjacent first ring electrodes and a portion of the second ring electrodes.

[0007] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to indicate the direction of the knob, when the knob is pointed to the second angle, the first knob electrode simultaneously covers a portion of the single first coil electrode and a portion of the second coil electrode.

[0008] Preferably, in order to enable the touch processing device to better detect the direction of the knob, the knob electrode area further includes one or more third-circle electrodes disposed on the circumference of the third circle, the third circle being concentric with the second circle and the first circle, wherein the diameter of the third circle is larger than the diameter of the second circle, and the diameter of the second circle is larger than the diameter of the first circle.

[0009] Preferably, to allow the user to use the knob as a directional button, the multiple third-ring electrodes included in the knob's electrode area are evenly distributed around the circumference of the third circle, each third-ring electrode has the same area, and each third-ring electrode has a similar shape and points concentrically towards the center of the third circle. For example Figure 14 The illustrated embodiment. Preferably, in order for the user to use the knob as a directional button, the first knob electrode is subjected to force, reducing its distance from at least one of the plurality of third-circle electrodes.

[0010] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to indicate the direction of the knob, the diameter of the first circle is larger than the diameter of the second circle. For example Figure 10 The illustrated embodiment. Preferably, to allow the drive signal to originate from the center, the second ring of electrodes is shaped like a circle encompassing the center of the second circle. For example... Figure 10 The illustrated embodiment. Preferably, in order for the touch processing device to better detect the direction of the knob, the area of ​​the first knob electrode covering the second ring electrode remains unchanged regardless of the direction of the knob.

[0011] Preferably, in order to allow the user to use the knob as a button, the capacitive sensing knob device further includes: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the vertical distance between the knob electrode and the second ring electrode to a first distance or a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

[0012] Preferably, in order to allow the user to use the knob as a force sensor, the capacitive sensing knob device further includes: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the distance between the first knob electrode and the second rotary electrode between a first distance and a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance, wherein when the knob is not subjected to force by the user, the connecting mechanism sets the distance between the first knob electrode and the second rotary electrode at the second distance.

[0013] Preferably, to prevent the knob from freezing in low temperatures, the capacitive sensing knob device further includes a connection mechanism for selectively disengaging or engaging the knob with the knob electrode area.

[0014] Preferably, in order to save manufacturing costs, the plurality of first ring electrodes in the aforementioned knob electrode area are located on the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes parallel to the first axis of the touch panel, and the plurality of second ring electrodes in the aforementioned knob electrode area are located on the same layer as the plurality of second electrodes parallel to the second axis of the touch panel.

[0015] Preferably, in order to reduce thickness, the plurality of first-ring electrodes and the second-ring electrodes are located in the same layer.

[0016] Preferably, in order to make the touch processing device easier to detect and increase the signal-to-noise ratio, the knob includes a second knob electrode parallel to the first knob electrode, the second knob electrode being electrically coupled to the first knob electrode, and the first knob electrode being closer to the knob electrode area than the second knob electrode.

[0017] According to one embodiment of this application, a capacitive sensing slider device is provided, comprising: a slider electrode region including: a plurality of sensing slider electrodes parallel to an axis, each of the sensing slider electrodes having the same area and the same distance between any two adjacent sensing slider electrodes; and a driving slider electrode parallel to the plurality of sensing slider electrodes; and a slider on the slider electrode region, the slider being selectively set at a plurality of positions parallel to the axis, the slider including a slider electrode, wherein when the slider is in a first position, the slider electrode simultaneously covers a portion of two adjacent sensing slider electrodes and a portion of the driving slider electrode.

[0018] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to set the position of the slider, when the slider is in the second position, the slider electrode simultaneously covers a portion of the single sensing slider electrode and a portion of the driving slider electrode.

[0019] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to set the position of the slider, the area of ​​the slider electrode covering one or more sensing slider electrodes is smaller than the area of ​​the slider electrode covering the driving slider electrode.

[0020] Preferably, to enable the touch processing device to better detect the position of the slider, the slider electrode area further includes one or more third electrodes parallel to the driving slider electrode, the one or more third electrodes and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes being located on both sides of the driving slider electrode. For example Figure 25A The example shown.

[0021] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to set the position of the slider, the area of ​​the slider electrode covering one or more sensing slider electrodes is smaller than the area of ​​the slider electrode covering the one or more electrodes.

[0022] Preferably, in order to allow the user to use the slider as a button, the capacitive sensing slider device further includes: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes at a first distance or a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

[0023] Preferably, in order to allow the user to use the slider as a force sensor, the capacitive sensing slider device further includes: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes between a first distance and a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance, wherein when the slider does not receive force from the user, the connecting mechanism sets the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes at the second distance.

[0024] Preferably, to prevent the slider from freezing in low temperatures, the capacitive sensing slider device further includes a connection mechanism for selectively disengaging or engaging the slider electrode area.

[0025] Preferably, in order to save manufacturing costs, the plurality of sensing slider electrodes in the aforementioned slider electrode area are located on the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes of the touch panel that are parallel to the first axis.

[0026] Preferably, in order to reduce thickness, the plurality of sensing slider electrodes and the driving slider electrode are located on the same layer.

[0027] According to an embodiment of this application, a touch processing device suitable for a capacitive sensing knob device is provided, comprising: a connection network module for connecting a plurality of first ring electrodes and a second ring electrode respectively; a sensing circuit module for connecting the plurality of first ring electrodes through the connection network module; a driving circuit module for connecting the second ring electrode through the connection network module; and a processor module for executing a plurality of instructions stored in non-volatile memory to perform the following steps: causing the driving circuit module to provide a driving signal to the second ring electrode; causing the sensing circuit module to sense the driving signal sensed by the plurality of first ring electrodes respectively to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively; calculating the direction of the knob based on the plurality of sensing values; and reporting the direction of the knob to the host.

[0028] Preferably, in order to calculate the direction of the knob, the step of calculating the direction of the knob based on the plurality of sensing values ​​further includes: finding the two largest adjacent sensing values ​​among the plurality of sensing values; calculating the ratio of the two largest adjacent sensing values; and calculating the direction of the knob based on the ratio.

[0029] Preferably, in order to allow the user to use the knob as a button, the processor module is further configured to: determine, based on the plurality of sensing values, whether the vertical distance between the first knob electrode and the second rotary electrode is set at the first distance or the second distance; when it is determined that the distance is set at the first distance, report to the host that the knob is in a pressed state; and when it is determined that the distance is set at the second distance, report to the host that the knob is in a non-pressed state.

[0030] Preferably, in order for the user to use the knob as a force sensor, the processor module is further configured to: determine the vertical distance between the first knob electrode and the second rotary electrode based on the plurality of sensing values; calculate the force value of the knob based on the vertical distance; and report the force value to the host.

[0031] Preferably, in order to enable the touch processing device to better detect the direction of the knob, the processor module is also configured to: connect the one or more third-circle electrodes to ground potential or DC potential via the connection network module.

[0032] Preferably, in order for the user to use the knob as a direction button, the processor module is further configured to: connect the connection network module to the plurality of third-ring electrodes respectively; allow the sensing circuit module to sense the drive signal sensed by the plurality of third-ring electrodes respectively to generate a plurality of second sensing values ​​respectively; and calculate the direction in which the knob is pressed based on the plurality of second sensing values.

[0033] According to an embodiment of this application, a touch processing device suitable for a capacitive sensing slider device is provided, comprising: a connection network module for connecting the plurality of sensing slider electrodes and the driving slider electrode respectively; a sensing circuit module for connecting the plurality of sensing slider electrodes through the connection network module; a driving circuit module for connecting the driving slider electrode through the connection network module; and a processor module for executing a plurality of instructions stored in non-volatile memory to perform the following steps: causing the driving circuit module to provide a driving signal to the driving slider electrode; causing the sensing circuit module to sense the driving signal sensed by the plurality of sensing slider electrodes respectively to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively; calculating the position of the slider based on the plurality of sensing values; and reporting the position of the slider to the host.

[0034] Preferably, in order to calculate the position of the slider between the two sensing slider electrodes, the step of calculating the position of the slider based on the plurality of sensing values ​​further includes: finding the two largest adjacent sensing values ​​among the plurality of sensing values; calculating the ratio of the two largest adjacent sensing values; and calculating the position of the slider based on the ratio.

[0035] Preferably, in order to allow the user to use the slider as a button, the processor module is further configured to: determine, based on the plurality of sensing values, whether the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the sensing slider electrode is set at the first distance or the second distance; when it is determined that the distance is set at the first distance, report to the host that the slider is in a pressed state; and when it is determined that the distance is set at the second distance, report to the host that the slider is in a non-pressed state.

[0036] Preferably, in order for the user to use the slider as a force sensor, the processor module is further configured to: determine the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the sensing slider electrode based on the plurality of sensing values; calculate the force value of the slider based on the vertical distance; and report the force value to the host.

[0037] Preferably, in order for the touch processing device to better detect the position of the slider, the processor module is also configured to: connect the one or more third electrodes to ground potential or DC potential via the connection network module.

[0038] According to one embodiment of this application, a touch system is provided, comprising the aforementioned touch processing device and capacitive knob device.

[0039] According to one embodiment of this application, a touch system is provided, including the aforementioned touch processing device and capacitive slider device.

[0040] The capacitive sensing knob and slider devices provided in this application reduce the number of moving parts with electrically coupled contacts, preventing malfunctions due to wear of electrical connectors and thus increasing their service life. Furthermore, the touch processing method and device provided in this application can accurately calculate the knob direction and slider position of the capacitive sensing knob device based on the principle of mutual capacitance induction. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a touch system 9900 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a top view of the knob electrode area 100 according to an embodiment of this application.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the knob and knob electrode area 100 according to an embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a top view of a knob electrode 310 according to an embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of a knob 300 and a knob electrode area 100 according to an embodiment of this application.

[0046] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram of a sensing signal and angle according to an embodiment of this application.

[0047] Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of experimental data of sensing signals and angles according to an embodiment of this application.

[0048] Figure 7 This is a top view of the knob electrode area 100 according to another embodiment of this application.

[0049] Figure 8 This is a top view of a knob 300 according to another embodiment of this application.

[0050] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the sensing signal and angle according to another embodiment of this application.

[0051] Figure 10 This is a top view of the knob electrode area 1000 according to another embodiment of this application.

[0052] Figure 11 This is a top view of a knob 1100 according to another embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 12 This is a top view of the knob electrode area 1200 according to another embodiment of this application.

[0054] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the knob electrode 1310 and the knob electrode area 1200 according to another embodiment of this application.

[0055] Figure 14 This is a top view of the knob electrode area 1400 according to another embodiment of this application.

[0056] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the knob electrode 1310 and the knob electrode area 1400 according to an embodiment of this application.

[0057] Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the knob electrode 310, the drive knob electrode 110, and the sensing knob electrode 120-1 according to an embodiment of this application.

[0058] Figure 17 According to Figure 16 Another cross-sectional view of the knob electrode 310, drive knob electrode 110, and sensing knob electrode 120-1 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0059] Figure 18 According to Figure 17Another cross-sectional view of the knob electrode 310, drive knob electrode 110, and sensing knob electrode 120-1 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0060] Figure 19 According to Figure 14 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the knob electrode 1310, drive knob electrode 110, sensing knob electrode 120-1, and third ring electrode 1230 in the embodiment shown.

[0061] Figure 20A According to Figure 3 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the knob electrode 310, the driving knob electrode 110, and the sensing knob electrode 120-1 in the embodiment shown.

[0062] Figure 20B According to Figure 20A Variations of the illustrated embodiment.

[0063] Figure 21 According to Figure 15 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the knob electrode 1310, drive knob electrode 110, sensing knob electrode 120-1, and third ring electrode 1440-1 in the embodiment shown.

[0064] Figure 22 This is a top view of the slider electrode area 2200 according to an embodiment of this application.

[0065] Figure 23 for Figure 22 A variation of the slider electrode area 2200 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0066] Figure 24A A slider electrode 2410A is covered with Figure 22 The top view above the slider electrode area 2200 shown.

[0067] Figure 24B For another slider electrode 2410B covered Figure 22 The top view above the slider electrode area 2200 shown.

[0068] Figure 25A A slider electrode 2510A is covered with Figure 23 The top view above the slider electrode area 2200 shown.

[0069] Figure 25B For another slider electrode 2510B covered Figure 23 The top view above the slider electrode area 2200 shown.

[0070] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a touch system 2600 according to an embodiment of this application.

[0071] Figure 27 This is a schematic flowchart of a touch processing method 2700 for a capacitive sensing knob device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0072] Figure 28 This is a schematic flowchart of a touch processing method 2800 for a capacitive sensing knob device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0073] Figure 29 This is a schematic flowchart of a touch processing method 2900 for a capacitive sensing slider device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0074] Explanation of icon numbers Detailed Implementation

[0075] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0076] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc. (if present) in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the objects described herein may be used interchangeably where appropriate. In the description of this application, "plural" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly and specifically defined. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. Some structural diagrams shown in the drawings are functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. Such functional entities may be implemented in software, in one or more hardware circuits or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0077] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows for communication; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the aforementioned terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0078] To make the objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0079] Please refer to Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a touch system 9900 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The touch system 9900 can be a common desktop, laptop, or tablet personal computer, an industrial control computer, a smartphone, or other form of calculator system with touch functionality.

[0080] The touch system 9900 may include a touch processing device 9910, a touch panel or screen 9920 connected to the touch processing device, and a host 9940 connected to the touch processing device. The touch system 9900 may also include one or more styluses 9930 and / or touchpads 9935. In this application, the touch panel or screen 9920 may be generally referred to as a touch screen 9920; however, in embodiments lacking display functionality, those skilled in the art will recognize that the touch screen referred to in this application is a touch panel.

[0081] The touchscreen 9920 includes multiple first electrodes 9921 parallel to a first axis and multiple second electrodes 9922 parallel to a second axis. The first electrodes 9921 can be interleaved with the multiple second electrodes 9922 to form multiple sensing points or sensing areas. Similarly, the second electrodes 9922 can be interleaved with the multiple first electrodes 9921 to form multiple sensing points or sensing areas. In some embodiments, the first electrode 9921 may be referred to as a first touch electrode 9921, and the second electrode 9922 may be referred to as a second touch electrode 9922. The first electrode 9921 and the second electrode 9922 are also collectively referred to as touch electrodes. In some embodiments of the touchscreen 9920, the first electrode 9921 and the second electrode 9922 are made of a transparent material. The first electrode 9921 and the second electrode 9922 can be on the same electrode layer, and the multiple conductive sheets of each first electrode 9921 or second electrode 9922 are connected using a bridge method. The first electrode 9921 and the second electrode 9922 may also be on different, overlapping electrode layers. Unless otherwise specified, this application is generally applicable to embodiments with a single layer or multiple electrode layers. The first axis and the second axis are generally perpendicular to each other, but this application does not limit the first axis to necessarily being perpendicular to the second axis. In one embodiment, the first axis may be a horizontal axis or the update axis of the touch screen 9920.

[0082] The touch processing device 9910 may include the following hardware circuit modules: an Interconnection Network module 9911, a driving circuit module 9912, a sensing circuit module 9913, a processor module 9914, and an interface module 9915. The touch processing device 9910 may be implemented within a single integrated circuit, which may contain one or more chips. Alternatively, multiple integrated circuits and interconnecting circuit boards supporting these integrated circuits may be used to implement the touch processing device 9910. The touch processing device 9910 may also be implemented on the same integrated circuit as the aforementioned host 9940, or on the same chip as the aforementioned host 9940. In other words, this application does not limit the implementation of the touch processing device 9910.

[0083] The connection network module 9911 is used to connect multiple first electrodes 9921 and / or multiple second electrodes 9922 of the touch screen 9920 respectively. The connection network module 9911 can accept control commands from the processor module 9914 to connect the drive circuit module 9912 to any one or more touch electrodes, and also to connect the sensing circuit module 9913 to any one or more touch electrodes. The connection network module 9911 may include a combination of one or more multiplexers (MUX) to implement the above functions.

[0084] The drive circuit module 9912 may include components such as a frequency generator, frequency divider, frequency multiplier, phase-locked loop, power amplifier, DC-DC voltage converter, rectifier, and / or filter. It is used to provide drive signals to one or more touch electrodes via the connection network module 9911 according to the control commands of the processor module 9914. Various analog or digital signal modulations can be applied to the drive signals to transmit certain information. The aforementioned modulation methods include, but are not limited to, frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (Phase Modulation), amplitude modulation (AM), dual-sideband modulation (DSB), single-sideband modulation (SSB-AM), vestigial sideband modulation (VSSB-AM), amplitude-shifted modulation (ASK), phase-shifted modulation (PSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), frequency-shifted modulation (FSK), continuous phase modulation (CPM), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), quadrature frequency division multiple access (OFDM), and pulse width modulation (PWM). The drive signal can contain one or more square waves, sine waves, or any modulated waveform. The drive circuit module 9912 can contain one or more channels, and each channel can be connected to any one or more touch electrodes through the connection network module 9911.

[0085] The sensing circuit module 9913 may include components such as an integrator, sampler, frequency generator, frequency divider, frequency multiplier, phase-locked loop, power amplifier, operational amplifier, multiplier, DC-DC voltage converter, rectifier, and / or filter. It is used to sense one or more touch electrodes via the connection network module 9911 according to the control commands of the processor module 9914. When a touch signal is emitted through one touch electrode, another touch electrode can sense the touch signal. The sensing circuit module 9913 can cooperate with the modulation method performed by the driving circuit module 9912 to demodulate the driving signal sensed by the other touch electrode to recover the information carried by the driving signal. The sensing circuit module 9913 may include one or more channels, each channel being connected to one or more touch electrodes via the connection network module 9911. Simultaneously, each channel can perform sensing and demodulation.

[0086] In one embodiment, the driving circuit module 9912 and sensing circuit module 9913 may include analog front-end (AFE) circuitry. In another embodiment, in addition to the analog front-end circuitry, the driving circuit module 9912 and sensing circuit module 9913 may include digital back-end (DBE) circuitry. When the driving circuit module 9912 and sensing circuit module 9913 only include analog front-end circuitry, the digital back-end circuitry may be implemented within the processor module 9914.

[0087] The processor module 9914 may include a digital signal processor (DSP) for connecting the analog front-end circuits of the aforementioned drive circuit module 9912 and sensing circuit module 9913, and may also connect the digital back-end circuits of the aforementioned drive circuit module 9912 and sensing circuit module 9913. The processor module 9914 may include an embedded processor, non-volatile memory, and volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may store a conventional operating system or a real-time operating system, and applications running under that operating system. The aforementioned operating system and applications contain multiple instructions and data. After these instructions are executed by the processor (including the embedded processor and / or DSP), they can be used to control other modules of the touch processing device 9910, including the connection network module 9911, the drive circuit module 9912, the sensing circuit module 9913, and the interface module 9915. For example, the processor module 9914 may include industry-common 8051 series processors, Intel's i960 series processors, ARM's Cortex-M series processors, etc. This application does not limit the type or number of processors included in the processor module 9914.

[0088] The aforementioned instructions and data can be used to implement the various steps mentioned in this application, as well as the processes and methods comprised of these steps. Some instructions can operate independently within the processor module 9914, such as arithmetic and logic operations. Other instructions can be used to control other modules of the touch processing device 9910; these instructions may include the input / output interface of the processor module 9914 to control other modules. Other modules can also provide information to the operating system and / or application executed by the processor module 9914 through the input / output interface of the processor module 9914. Those skilled in the art should possess general knowledge of computer organization and architecture and can understand that the processes and methods mentioned in this application can be implemented using the aforementioned modules and instructions.

[0089] The aforementioned interface module 9915 can include various serial or parallel buses, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Integrated Circuit Bus (I2C), PCI, PCI-Express, IEEE 1394, and other industry standard input / output interfaces. The touch processing device 9910 is connected to the host 9940 through the interface module 9915.

[0090] The touch system 9900 may include one or more styluses 9930 and / or touchpads 9935. The stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935 may be a transmitter that emits electrical signals. It may be an active transmitter that actively emits electrical signals, a passive transmitter that passively emits electrical signals, or a reactive transmitter that emits electrical signals in response to external electrical signals. The stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935 may include one or more electrodes for synchronously or asynchronously receiving electrical signals from the touchscreen 9920, or synchronously or asynchronously emitting electrical signals to the touchscreen 9920. These electrical signals may employ one or more modulation methods as described above.

[0091] The stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935 described above can be a conductor, used to conduct drive signals or ground by using the user's hand or body. The stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935 described above can be connected to the input / output interface module 9941 of the host 9940, or other modules under the input / output interface module 9941, in a wired or wireless manner.

[0092] The touch processing device 9910 can detect one or more external conductive objects via the touch screen 9920, such as a human finger, palm, or a passive stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935. It can also detect stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935 that emits electrical signals. The touch processing device 9910 can detect external conductive objects using mutual capacitance or self-capacitance. The stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935 and the touch processing device 9910 can use the aforementioned signal modulation and corresponding signal demodulation methods to transmit information using electrical signals. The touch processing device 9910 can use electrical signals to detect one or more proximity positions of the stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935 to or in contact with the touch screen 9920, the sensor status (e.g., pressure sensor or button) on the stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935, the direction of the stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935, or the tilt angle of the stylus 9930 or touchpad 9935 relative to the plane of the touch screen 9920, etc.

[0093] The host 9940 is the main device for controlling the touch system 9910, and may include an input / output interface module 9941 connected to the interface module 9915, a central processing unit module 9942, a graphics processing unit module 9943, a memory module 9944 connected to the central processing unit module 9942, a network interface module 9945 connected to the input / output interface module 9941, and a memory module 9946.

[0094] The memory module 9946 includes non-volatile memory, common examples of which are hard disks, electronically eraseable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The memory module 9946 can store a common operating system and applications running under that operating system. The network interface module 9945 can include a hardware network connection interface for wired and / or wireless connections. The network interface module 9945 can comply with common industry standards, such as the IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN standard, the IEEE 802.3 wired LAN standard, 3G, 4G, and / or 5G wireless communication network standards, Bluetooth wireless communication network standards, etc.

[0095] The central processing unit (CPU) module 9942 can be directly or indirectly connected to the aforementioned input / output interface module 9941, graphics processor module 9943, memory module 9944, network interface module 9945, and memory module 9946. The CPU module 9942 can contain one or more processors or processor cores. Common processors may include processors using the x86 and x64 instruction sets from Intel, AMD, and VIA Technologies, or processors using the ARM instruction set from Apple, Qualcomm, and MediaTek. It may also include processors using other forms of Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) or Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC). The aforementioned operating system and applications contain multiple instructions and data corresponding to the above instruction sets. After these instructions are executed by the CPU module 9942, they can be used to control other modules of the touch system 9900.

[0096] The optional graphics processing unit (GPU) module 9943 is typically used to handle calculations related to graphics output. This GPU module 9943 can be connected to the aforementioned touchscreen 9920 to control its output. In some applications, the host computer 9940 may not require dedicated processing from the GPU module 9943; instead, the central processing unit (CPU) module 9942 can directly perform the calculations related to graphics output.

[0097] The host 9940 may also include others, such as Figure 1 Components or devices not shown include, for example, audio input / output interfaces, keyboard input interfaces, mouse input interfaces, trackball input interfaces, and / or other hardware modules. Those skilled in the art should possess general knowledge of calculator structure and architecture and will understand that the touch system 9900 mentioned in this application is merely illustrative; other parts related to the inventive features provided in this application should be referred to in the specification and claims.

[0098] like Figure 1As shown, in addition to the touch screen 9920, at least one knob electrode area 100 is also included. This knob electrode area 100 can be placed next to the touch screen 9920 or in other locations within the touch system 9900. The touch processing device 9910 can be connected to multiple knob electrodes of the knob electrode area 100 via the connection network module 9911 and multiple wires.

[0099] Please refer to Figure 2 The diagram shown is a top view of a knob electrode area 100 according to an embodiment of this application. The knob electrode area 100 may include two concentric ring electrode patterns. The outer concentric ring is a drive knob electrode 110, and the drive circuit module 9912 can be connected to the drive knob electrode 110 through the connection network module 9911 to emit a drive signal. The inner concentric ring contains multiple sensing knob electrodes. (The diagram is incomplete and requires further context.) Figure 2 As shown, it contains three sensing knob electrodes 120-1 to 120-3.

[0100] In one embodiment, the area of ​​each of the plurality of sensing knob electrodes is the same. In another embodiment, the shape of each of the plurality of sensing knob electrodes is the same, only their orientations differ. In yet another embodiment, the distance between each of the plurality of sensing knob electrodes and the drive knob electrode 110 is the same.

[0101] In one embodiment, multiple sensing knob electrodes and driving knob electrodes 110 are located on the same layer. For example, they can be on the same layer as multiple first electrodes 9921 of the touch screen 9920. Alternatively, they can be on the same layer as multiple second electrodes 9922. The driving knob electrode 110 can be connected to the aforementioned connection network module 9911 via wires 111. The three sensing knob electrodes 120-1 to 120-3 can be connected to the aforementioned connection network module 9911 via wires 121-1 to 121-3, respectively. Wires 121-1 to 121-3 can be located on different layers than the multiple sensing knob electrodes and driving knob electrodes 110.

[0102] In one embodiment, the plurality of sensing knob electrodes and the driving knob electrodes 110 are located on different layers. For example, the driving knob electrodes 110 may be on the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes 9921 of the touch screen 9920, and the plurality of sensing knob electrodes may be on the same layer as the plurality of second electrodes 9922. Conversely, in another embodiment, the driving knob electrodes 110 may be on the same layer as the plurality of second electrodes 9922 of the touch screen 9920, and the plurality of sensing knob electrodes may be on the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes 9921. Wires 121-1 to 121-3 may be located on the same layer as the plurality of sensing knob electrodes; wire 111 may be located on the same layer as the driving knob electrodes 110.

[0103] In one embodiment, the material of the plurality of sensing knob electrodes and driving knob electrodes 110 can be the same as that of the aforementioned first electrode 9921 or second electrode 9922. In one embodiment, the substrate carrying the plurality of sensing knob electrodes and driving knob electrodes 110 can be the same as the substrate of the touch screen 9920. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the above features are limited to certain embodiments and are not intended to limit this application.

[0104] Please refer to Figure 3 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of a longitudinal section of the knob and knob electrode area 100 according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 The longitudinal section shown can be Figure 2 The cross-section of line segment AA. The knob electrode area 100 may sequentially include a substrate 130 and a protective layer 140 on the substrate 130. The upper surface or interior of the substrate 130 may include the aforementioned plurality of sensing knob electrodes and driving knob electrodes 110. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the substrate 130 may be the same piece as the substrate of the touch screen 9920. Wires 121-1 to 121-3 may be located on the lower surface of the substrate 130 and connected to the plurality of sensing knob electrodes respectively through circuits passing through the substrate 130. Wire 111 may also be located on the upper surface or interior of the substrate 130.

[0105] The protective layer 140 can be made of a transparent or opaque material. Outside the protective layer 140 is a knob 300 corresponding to the knob electrode area 100. The knob 300 includes a conductive layer or a knob electrode 310. The knob electrode 310 does not actually contact the aforementioned plurality of sensing knob electrodes and driving knob electrodes 110. The knob electrode 310 forms at least one first capacitance with at least one of the aforementioned plurality of sensing knob electrodes. The knob electrode 310 forms a second capacitance with the driving knob electrode 110. When the knob 300 is rotated, the touch processing device 9910 can determine the knob's orientation by the change in at least one first capacitance.

[0106] Although Figure 3 The mechanical structure by which the knob 300 is fixed to the knob electrode area 100 is not shown, but those skilled in the art will understand that a locking mechanism such as a concentric ring can be used to ensure that the knob 300 is positioned precisely at the corresponding location in the knob electrode area 100, and that the center of rotation of the knob 300 is precisely located at the center of the knob electrode area 100. Furthermore, although... Figure 3 The knob electrode 310 is located at the top of the knob 300, but the knob 300 may have a visually marked printed layer, graphics or other structures to let the user of the knob 300 know the direction of the knob 300.

[0107] Please refer to Figure 4 The diagram shown is a top view of a knob electrode 310 according to an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 5 The diagram shows a knob 300 (FIG. a) and a knob electrode area 100 (FIG. b) according to an embodiment of this application. The knob electrode 310 can be considered as a ring, used to cover all or part of the aforementioned drive knob electrode 110. The center of this ring is the rotation center of the knob 300. Inside the ring is a sector-shaped portion 320, which corresponds to one of the plurality of sensing knob electrodes. This sector-shaped portion 320 can be used to cover all or part of one of the plurality of sensing knob electrodes.

[0108] exist Figure 4 In this embodiment, since the corresponding knob electrode area 100 has three sensing knob electrodes, the unfolding angle of the fan-shaped portion 320 is approximately 120 degrees. Depending on the distance between the three sensing knob electrodes, the unfolding angle of the fan-shaped portion 320 can be increased or decreased, so that the fan-shaped portion 320 can correspond to a single sensing knob electrode.

[0109] Those skilled in the art will understand that when the corresponding knob electrode area 100 has N sensing knob electrodes, the unfolding angle of the sector portion 320 is approximately (360 / N) degrees, where N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0110] In addition, the fan-shaped portion 320 can also have other variations in shape. For example, the fan-shaped portion 320 can have gaps. The portion of the fan-shaped portion 320 near the center of rotation can have a gap. Those skilled in the art will understand that the fan-shaped portion 320 is mainly used to form the aforementioned first capacitance for one of the multiple sensing knob electrodes or two adjacent sensing knob electrodes. Therefore, this application does not limit the shape of the fan-shaped portion 320, as long as it corresponds to one or two adjacent sensing knob electrodes.

[0111] In one embodiment, when the fan-shaped portion 320 covers only a single sensing knob electrode, the pointing orientation of the knob 300 can be set to 0 degrees. For example, in Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, when the fan-shaped portion 320 completely covers the sensing knob electrode 120-1, the pointing orientation of the knob 300 is set to 0 degrees. Those skilled in the art will understand that this 0-degree pointing orientation can be any direction. For ease of explanation later, as... Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the sensing knob electrode 120-1 can be positioned on the center line corresponding to the rotation center.

[0112] Please refer to Figure 6A As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the sensing signal and angle according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 6A The illustrated embodiments correspond to Figure 5 The knob 300 and knob electrode area 100 are shown. The vertical axis represents the signal strength, and the horizontal axis represents the direction of the knob, i.e., 0 to 360 degrees. Signal 610 is the signal received by sensing knob electrode 120-1, signal 620 is the signal received by sensing knob electrode 120-2, and signal 630 is the signal received by sensing knob electrode 120-3.

[0113] Please refer to Figure 6B As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the experimental results of the sensing signal and angle according to an embodiment of this application. Similarly, signal 610 is the signal received by sensing knob electrode 120-1, signal 620 is the signal received by sensing knob electrode 120-2, and signal 630 is the signal received by sensing knob electrode 120-3. Figure 6B Signals 610 to 630 shown are Figure 6A The discrepancy between the ideal situation shown and the actual situation may be due to interference during the experiment. However... Figure 6B All three signals have relatively obvious peaks, which can be recognized by those skilled in the art. Figure 6A The ideal situation can be viewed as a computational model that can be based on... Figure 6A The ideal condition is used to calculate the position of the knob.

[0114] The drive circuit module 9912 of the touch processing device 9910 sends a drive signal to the drive knob electrode 110 via the network module 9911 and the wire 111. This drive signal can be a sine wave or a square wave, or a signal generated through any modulation method. In one embodiment, the drive signal can be the same as the signal used by the touch processing device 9910 to detect nearby objects on the touch screen 9920, in order to reduce the processing complexity during demodulation.

[0115] The knob electrode 310 senses the drive signal through the second capacitance between it and the drive knob electrode 110. Then, through the first capacitance between the fan-shaped portion and one or two of the plurality of sensing knob electrodes, the one or two sensing knob electrodes also sense the drive signal from the knob electrode 310. The sensed drive signal is then returned to the sensing circuit module 9913 via the corresponding wires and the connection network module 9911. The sensing circuit module 9913 can detect the intensity of the drive signals sensed by all the sensing knob electrodes.

[0116] For example, when knob 300 is pointed to Figure 5At the 0-degree angle shown, since the sector portion 320 only covers the sensing knob electrode 120-1, signal 610 will be at its maximum value. When the knob 300 rotates clockwise, the signal 620 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 120-2 gradually increases, while the signal 630 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 120-3 gradually decreases. Therefore, the processor module 9914 of the touch processing device 9910 can determine that the knob 300 is rotating clockwise based on the changes in the three signals 610-630. Conversely, when the knob 300 rotates counterclockwise, the signal 620 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 120-2 gradually decreases, while the signal 630 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 120-3 gradually increases. Therefore, the processor module 9914 of the touch processing device 9910 can determine that the knob 300 is rotating counterclockwise based on the changes in the three signals 610-630.

[0117] like Figure 6A In one embodiment shown, the orientation of the knob 300 can be determined based on the combination of the values ​​of the three signals 610-630. For example, when the knob 300 is pointing at 60 degrees, since the fan-shaped portion 320 is furthest from the sensing knob electrode 120-3, signal 630 is at its minimum value. Therefore, the processor module 9914 of the touch processing device 9910 can determine that the orientation of the knob 300 is 60 degrees. In another example, when the knob 300 is pointing at 240 degrees, since the fan-shaped portion 320 completely covers the sensing knob electrode 120-3, signal 630 is at its maximum value. Therefore, the processor module 9914 of the touch processing device 9910 can determine that the orientation of the knob 300 is 240 degrees.

[0118] like Figure 6A In one embodiment shown, the orientation of the knob 300 can be determined based on the ratio of the two larger values ​​of the three signals 610-630. For example, when the knob 300 points to 60 degrees, since the fan-shaped portion 320 is furthest from the sensing knob electrode 120-3, signal 630 is at its minimum value. Therefore, the processor module 9914 of the touch processing device 9910 can use the ratio of signal 610 to signal 620 to determine that the orientation of the knob 300 is 60 degrees. The ratio of signal 610 to signal 620 corresponds to the ratio of the areas covered by the knob electrode 310 to the areas covered by the knob electrode 120-1 and the knob electrode 120-2, respectively. Therefore, by calculating the ratio of signal 610 to signal 620, the ratio of the areas covered by the knob electrode 310 to the areas covered by the knob electrode 120-1 and the knob electrode 120-2, respectively, can be calculated. In other words, the relative positions of knob electrode 310 with knob electrodes 120-1 and 120-2 can be determined, which is the direction in which knob 300 points.

[0119] like Figure 6A In one embodiment shown, the signals 610-630 can be the original signal value or the difference between the original signal value and the reference signal value. In some embodiments, the reference signal values ​​to which signals 610-630 are relative are the same. In another embodiment, due to the different lengths of wires 121-1-121-3, the reference signal values ​​to which signals 610-630 are respectively relative are different.

[0120] The basis for determining the knob's orientation, rotation direction, rotation angular rate, and angular acceleration of the rotation angular rate can be the original signal value or the difference between the original signal value and the reference signal value. The processor module 9914 of the touch processing device 9910 can report one or any combination of the knob's orientation, rotation direction, rotation angular rate, and angular acceleration of the rotation angular rate to the host 9940.

[0121] Please refer to Figure 7 As shown, it is a top view schematic diagram of the knob electrode area 100 according to another embodiment of this application. Figure 2 Compared to the knob electrode area 100 shown, Figure 7 The embodiment includes four sensing knob electrodes 120-1 to 120-4 arranged clockwise. Not only has the number increased to four, but their shape has also changed to right-angled triangles. For the remaining features of the invention, please refer to... Figure 2 Description of the illustrated embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 7 The knob electrode 310 corresponding to the knob electrode area 100 in the illustrated embodiment may include a fan-shaped portion 320 of approximately 360 / 4 degrees, so it will not be described in detail here.

[0122] Please refer to Figure 8 The diagram shown is a top view of a knob 300 according to another embodiment of this application. Figure 4 Similar to the embodiment shown, the knob 300 corresponds to Figure 2 The knob electrode area 100 is shown. Figure 4 The difference in the illustrated embodiments is that, Figure 8 The inverted fan-shaped portion 330 corresponds exactly to Figure 4 The sector-shaped portion 320. The inverse sector-shaped portion 330 described herein is blank and has no electrodes.

[0123] Please refer to Figure 9 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the sensing signal and angle according to another embodiment of this application. Figure 9 The illustrated embodiments correspond to Figure 8 The knob 300 shown is Figure 2The knob electrode area 100 is shown. When the inverted fan-shaped portion 330 is at angle 0°, it covers all or part of the sensing knob electrode 120-1, resulting in a minimum second capacitance between the knob electrode 310 and the sensing knob electrode 120-1. Therefore, the signal 910 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 120-1 will be at its minimum value. Similarly, when the inverted fan-shaped portion 330 is at angle 120°, it covers all or part of the sensing knob electrode 120-2, resulting in a minimum second capacitance between the knob electrode 310 and the sensing knob electrode 120-2. Therefore, the signal 920 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 120-2 will be at its minimum value. Similarly, when the inverted fan-shaped portion 330 is at angle 240°, it covers all or part of the sensing knob electrode 120-3, resulting in a minimum second capacitance between the knob electrode 310 and the sensing knob electrode 120-3. Therefore, the signal 930 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 120-3 will be at its minimum value.

[0124] Please refer to Figure 10 As shown, it is a top view schematic diagram of the knob electrode area 1000 according to another embodiment of this application. Figure 2 The knob electrode area 100 shown is similar in that it includes both inner and outer rings of electrodes. However, the difference lies in that the inner ring of the knob electrode area 1000 is the driving knob electrode 1010, while the outer ring contains N sensing knob electrodes. Although Figure 10 The drive knob electrode 1010 shown is a solid circle, but in other embodiments, the drive knob electrode 1010 may also be a ring, a regular M-sided polygon, a regular M-sided ring, etc., where M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0125] Figure 10 The features of the multiple sensing knob electrodes 1020-1 to 1020-3 shown can be applied to Figure 2 The features of the plurality of sensing knob electrodes 120-1 to 120-3 shown are illustrated. For example, the knob electrode area 1000 may contain N sensing knob electrodes, where N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0126] Multiple sensing knob electrodes 1020-1 to 1020-3 can be connected to the connection network module 9911 of the touch processing device 9910 via wires 1021-1 to 1021-3 respectively. Wire 1011 can be used to connect the connection network module 9911 of the touch processing device 9910 and the driving knob electrode 1010. Figure 10 The characteristics of wires 1021-1~1021-3 and wire 1011 shown can be used as follows. Figure 2 Features of the multiple wires shown. For example, wires 1021-1 to 1021-3 may be on the upper surface or the first surface of the substrate 130, and wire 1011 may be on the lower surface of the substrate 130 or on the second surface relative to the first surface.

[0127] Please refer to Figure 11 This is a top view schematic diagram of a knob 1100 according to another embodiment of this application. The knob 1100 corresponds to... Figure 10 The knob electrode area 1000 is shown. The knob 1100 includes a knob electrode 1110, which comprises a solid inner ring portion and a fan-shaped portion 1120 protruding from the solid inner ring portion. The solid inner ring portion corresponds to the aforementioned drive knob electrode 1010. The protruding fan-shaped portion 1120 may correspond to one or two of the aforementioned plurality of sensing knob electrodes 1020-1 to 1020-3.

[0128] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 6A The graph of the angle versus the signal, along with its associated explanation, can also be applied to... Figure 10 and Figure 11 The illustrated embodiment. When the sector portion 1120 is at angle 0°, it covers all or part of the sensing knob electrode 1020-1. The second capacitance between the knob electrode 1110 and the sensing knob electrode 1020-1 is at its maximum, therefore the signal 610 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 1020-1 will be at its maximum value. Similarly, when the sector portion 1120 is at angle 120°, it covers all or part of the sensing knob electrode 1020-2. The second capacitance between the knob electrode 1110 and the sensing knob electrode 1020-2 is at its maximum, therefore the signal 620 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 1120-2 will be at its maximum value. Similarly, when the sector portion 1120 is at angle 240°, it covers all or part of the sensing knob electrode 1020-3. The second capacitance between the knob electrode 1110 and the sensing knob electrode 1020-3 is at its maximum, therefore the signal 630 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode 1020-3 will be at its maximum value.

[0129] Similarly, in a variation of the knob 1100, it can be as follows: Figure 8 It also features a reverse fan-shaped section. This reverse fan-shaped section can be used to cover one or two of the multiple sensing knob electrodes. This variant of the knob 1100 is suitable for... Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the graph of its angle versus signal can be as follows: Figure 9 As shown.

[0130] Please refer to Figure 12 As shown, it is a top view schematic diagram of the knob electrode area 1200 according to another embodiment of this application. Figure 2Compared to the knob electrode area 100 shown, the knob electrode area 1200 further includes a third ring of electrodes 1230 connected to ground potential or a certain DC potential. This third ring of electrodes 1230 can consist of a complete ring of electrodes or multiple electrodes. The third ring of electrodes 1230 sequentially surrounds the drive knob electrode 110 and multiple sensing knob electrodes 1120-1 to 1120-3. The third ring of electrodes 1230, the aforementioned drive knob electrode 110, and the multiple sensing knob electrodes 1120-1 to 1120-3 revolve around a common center.

[0131] Please refer to Figure 13 As shown, this is a schematic diagram of the knob electrode 1310 (FIG. a) and the knob electrode area 1200 (FIG. b) according to another embodiment of this application. Figure 13 As shown, the knob electrode 1310 covers the corresponding knob electrode area 1200, and the knob electrode 1310 and the knob electrode area 1200 correspond to a common axis of rotation. Regardless of the direction in which the knob is turned, the outer ring of the knob electrode 1310 covers the third ring electrode 1230, so that a capacitance is formed between the knob electrode 1310 and the third ring electrode 1230.

[0132] When the drive knob electrode 110 sends a drive signal, since the potential of the third coil electrode 1230 is ground potential or a certain DC potential, the drive signal sensed by the knob electrode 1310 will be lost through the third coil electrode 1230, resulting in a reduction in the amount of drive signal sensed by the corresponding sensing knob electrode. Because the amount of reduced sensed drive signal increases, the touch processing device 9910 can better detect the knob electrode 310 corresponding to the sensing knob electrode. In other words, the third coil electrode 1230 can increase detection sensitivity or signal-to-noise ratio.

[0133] Please refer to Figure 14 As shown, it is a top view schematic diagram of the knob electrode area 1400 according to another embodiment of this application. Figure 12 Compared to the embodiments shown, Figure 14 The illustrated embodiment includes multiple third-ring electrodes, and each third-ring electrode is connected via a wire to the connection network module 9911 of the touch processing device 9910, rather than to ground potential or DC potential. Figure 14 The illustrated embodiment includes four third-ring electrodes 1440-1 to 1440-4, which are respectively connected to the touch processing device 9910 via wires 1441-1 to 1441-4.

[0134] Those skilled in the art will understand that the number of electrodes in the third ring can be greater than or equal to two. For example... Figure 14In the illustrated embodiment, the four third-ring electrodes correspond to the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west. For example, when the user presses the north-facing knob, causing the knob electrode to move closer to the third-ring electrode 1440-1 and further away from the third-ring electrode 1440-3, the touch processing device 9910 can sense the change in the drive signal sensed by the two third-ring electrodes 1440-1 and 1440-3 via wires 1441-1 and 1441-3. In this example, because the distance between the third-ring electrode 1440-1 and the knob electrode becomes shorter, its capacitance increases. Conversely, the distance between the third-ring electrode 1440-3 and the knob electrode becomes longer, and its capacitance decreases. Accordingly, the drive signal sensed by the third-ring electrode 1440-1 corresponding to the north increases, while the drive signal sensed by the third-ring electrode 1440-3 corresponding to the south decreases. The touch processing device 9910 can then detect that the knob electrode is tilted northward. The touch processing device 9910 can report to the host 9940 that the user has pressed the knob facing north.

[0135] In one embodiment, the touch processing device 9910 can identify, from among a plurality of third-ring electrodes, the third-ring electrode with the largest sensed change in drive signal, or the third-ring electrode with a sensed change in drive signal exceeding a threshold value, and then locate the direction corresponding to that third-ring electrode. In other words, the user can not only rotate the knob to control its pointing direction, but also tilt the knob in one of several directions to provide another type of control, similar to a button. The user can single-click, double-click, or long-press the knob in a certain direction. For example, in... Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment, the user can control the single-click, double-click, and long-press actions in one of the four directions: east, south, west, or north.

[0136] In another embodiment, the touch processing device 9910 can identify two adjacent third-ring electrodes whose sensed drive signal change is greater than a threshold, and then find the midpoint between their corresponding two directions. For example, when the sensed drive signal changes of adjacent third-ring electrodes 1440-1 and 1440-2 are the largest, it indicates that the user wants to control the northeast direction, which is between north and east. Figure 14 In the illustrated embodiment, in addition to the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), the user can control the single-click, double-click, and long-press actions in one of the four directions: southeast, southwest, northwest, and northeast.

[0137] Those skilled in the art will understand that when the ring angles occupied by the N third ring electrodes of the knob electrode area 1400 are the same, the touch processing device 9910 of this application can provide knob button control in N directions or knob button control in 2N directions, where N is a natural number greater than 1.

[0138] However, the annular angles occupied by the N third-ring electrodes are not necessarily the same, and the area or size of each third-ring electrode is not necessarily equal. For example, when the area of ​​a particular third-ring electrode is particularly small, or the annular angle it occupies is particularly small, the user must more precisely control the knob to tilt towards that third-ring electrode. Conversely, when the area of ​​a particular third-ring electrode is particularly large, or the annular angle it occupies is particularly large, the user must more easily control the knob to tilt towards that third-ring electrode.

[0139] Please refer to Figure 15 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the knob electrode 1310 (FIG. a) and the knob electrode area 1400 (FIG. b) according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 15 As shown, the knob electrode 1310 covers the corresponding knob electrode area 1400, and the knob electrode 1310 and the knob electrode area 1400 correspond to a common axis of rotation. Regardless of the direction in which the knob is turned, the outer ring of the knob electrode 1310 covers a plurality of third ring electrodes, so that a capacitance is formed between the knob electrode 1310 and the plurality of third ring electrodes.

[0140] Please refer to Figure 16 The diagram shown is a cross-sectional view of the knob electrode 310, the drive knob electrode 110, and the sensing knob electrode 120-1 according to an embodiment of this application. The drive knob electrode 110 and the sensing knob electrode 120-1 form a capacitor. Figure 16 The multiple arrows depict multiple electric field lines between the drive knob electrode 110 and the sensing knob electrode 120-1. Drive signals from the drive knob electrode 110 can reach the sensing knob electrode 120-1 via these electric field lines. When the fan-shaped portion 320 of the knob electrode 310 does not cover the sensing knob electrode 120-1, only the outer ring of the knob electrode 310 partially blocks the electric field lines.

[0141] Please refer to Figure 17 As shown, it is based on Figure 16 Another cross-sectional view of the knob electrode 310, drive knob electrode 110, and sensing knob electrode 120-1 in the illustrated embodiment. When the fan-shaped portion 320 of the knob electrode 310 covers the sensing knob electrode 120-1, it blocks most of the electric field lines. The drive signal emitted from the drive knob electrode 110 can only reach the sensing knob electrode 120-1 via a smaller number of electric field lines. Therefore, the amount of drive signal sensed by the touch processing device 9910 from the sensing knob electrode 120-1 is reduced.

[0142] Those skilled in the art will understand that, by means of Figure 16 and Figure 17As explained, when the fan-shaped portion 320 of the knob electrode 310 covers the sensing knob electrode 120-1, the touch processing device 9910 can determine from the change in the amount of drive signal sensed by the sensing knob electrode 120-1 that the fan-shaped portion 320 covers the sensing knob electrode 120-1. When the fan-shaped portion 320 of the knob electrode 310 covers two adjacent sensing knob electrodes, the touch processing device 9910 can determine from the change in the amount of drive signal sensed by the two adjacent sensing knob electrodes that the fan-shaped portion 320 covers the two adjacent sensing knob electrodes, and then calculate the pointing direction of the knob 300.

[0143] Please refer to Figure 18 As shown, it is based on Figure 17 Another cross-sectional schematic diagram of the knob electrode 310, drive knob electrode 110, and sensing knob electrode 120-1 in the illustrated embodiment. Figure 18 Compared to the previous embodiment, in Figure 17 In this embodiment, the distance 1710 between the knob electrode 310 and the drive knob electrode 110 is relatively close, and the knob electrode 310 blocks more of the electric field lines. Figure 18 The distance 1810 shown is longer than the distance 1710, and the knob electrode 310 blocks the smaller electric field line.

[0144] Those skilled in the art will understand that a knob can have a telescopic mechanism that allows the user to control the distance between the knob electrode 310 and the drive knob electrode 110. Since the distance can control the capacitance, the touch processing device 9910 can deduce the aforementioned distance based on the change in signal received by the sensing knob electrode 120-1.

[0145] In one embodiment, the aforementioned telescopic mechanism can be vertically elastic. When the user applies force, the distance shortens. When the user does not apply force, the distance increases. In other words, the distance pushed back by the aforementioned touch processing device 9910 can reflect the force applied to the knob in the vertical direction. In other words, the touch processing device 9910 can output the force value applied to the knob. This force value is between the maximum and minimum values.

[0146] In another embodiment, the aforementioned extension mechanism may have multiple stages. For example, the knob force may have two stages. When the knob is in the stage of maximum force, the touch processing device 9910 can consider the knob to be pressed by the user. When the knob is in the stage of minimum force, the touch processing device 9910 can consider the knob to have rebounded. When the force value is between the maximum and minimum values, the touch processing device 9910 can output the closest maximum or minimum value based on the force value. Alternatively, the touch processing device 9910 can output whether the knob state is pressed or rebounded. Those skilled in the art will understand that the knob force may have N stages, where N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0147] Please refer to Figure 19 As shown, it is based on Figure 14 A schematic cross-sectional view of the knob electrode 1310, drive knob electrode 110, sensing knob electrode 120-1, and third-circle electrode 1230 in the illustrated embodiment. Figure 17 Compared to the embodiment shown, the knob electrode 1310 forms a capacitor with the driving knob electrode 110, the sensing knob electrode 120-1, and the third-circle electrode 1230, respectively. And as... Figure 12 In this embodiment, the third ring electrode 1230 is connected to the ground potential. The touch processing device 9910 is also connected to the same ground potential.

[0148] After the drive signal is emitted from the drive knob electrode 110, a portion of it flows back to the touch processing device 9910 sequentially via the knob electrode 1310 and the third ring electrode 1230. Therefore, the drive signal sensed by the touch processing device 9910 via the knob electrode 1310 and the sensing knob electrode 120-1 is reduced. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that when the knob electrode area 1200 has the third ring electrode 1230, the drive signal sensed by the touch processing device 9910 via the sensing knob electrode 120-1 will be less than... Figure 17 The illustrated embodiment uses fewer drive signals. The touch processing device 9910 can more clearly determine that the knob electrode 1310 covers the sensing knob electrode 120-1.

[0149] Please refer to Figure 20A As shown, it is based on Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment shows a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the knob electrode 310, the driving knob electrode 110, and the sensing knob electrode 120-1. Figure 20A As shown, a finger can directly touch the knob electrode 310, or the finger can be very close to the knob electrode 310, for example, separated by a layer of paint, plastic film, or sticker. The finger is connected to the ground potential through the human body, and the touch processing device 9910 can also be connected to the ground potential through the human body or other objects (such as a table).

[0150] After the drive signal is emitted from the drive knob electrode 110, a portion of it flows back to the touch processing device 9910 sequentially via the knob electrode 310, the finger, and the human body. Therefore, the amount of drive signal sensed by the touch processing device 9910 via the knob electrode 310 and the sensing knob electrode 120-1 is reduced. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that when a finger can directly touch the knob electrode 310, or when the finger is very close to the knob electrode 310, the amount of drive signal sensed by the touch processing device 9910 via the sensing knob electrode 120-1 will be less than... Figure 17 The illustrated embodiment uses fewer drive signals. The touch processing device 9910 can more clearly determine that the knob electrode 310 covers the sensing knob electrode 120-1.

[0151] Please refer to Figure 20B As shown, it is based on Figure 20A Variations of the illustrated embodiment. Figure 20B The knobs shown typically include a second knob electrode 2010. This second knob electrode 2010 can be electrically coupled to the knob electrode 310 via a conductor or wire. A finger can directly touch the second knob electrode 2010, or the finger can be very close to the second knob electrode 2010, for example, through a layer of paint, plastic film, or sticker. The finger is connected to the ground potential via the human body, and the touch processing device 9910 can also be connected to the ground potential via the human body or other objects (such as a table).

[0152] After the drive signal is emitted from the drive knob electrode 110, a portion of it flows back to the touch processing device 9910 sequentially via the knob electrode 310, the second knob electrode 1310, the finger, and the human body. Therefore, the amount of drive signal sensed by the touch processing device 9910 via the knob electrode 310 and the sensing knob electrode 120-1 is reduced. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that when a finger can directly touch the second knob electrode 2010, or when the distance between the finger and the second knob electrode 2010 is very close, the amount of drive signal sensed by the touch processing device 9910 via the sensing knob electrode 120-1 will be less than... Figure 17 The illustrated embodiment uses fewer drive signals. The touch processing device 9910 can more clearly determine that the knob electrode 310 covers the sensing knob electrode 120-1.

[0153] Please refer to Figure 21 As shown, it is based on Figure 15The illustrated embodiment shows a cross-sectional view of the knob electrode 1310, the drive knob electrode 110, the sensing knob electrode 120-1, and the third coil electrode 1440-1. The knob electrode 1310 forms a capacitor with the drive knob electrode 110, the sensing knob electrode 120-1, and the third coil electrode 1440-1, respectively. Figure 21 In this configuration, the knob electrode 1310 is tilted toward the direction of the third ring electrode 1440-1. Those skilled in the art will understand that the knob may include a mechanism design that allows the corresponding plane of the knob electrode 1310 to tilt in a certain direction. For example, this mechanism design may include a flexible mechanism at the center of the knob for connecting the knob electrode 1310.

[0154] and Figure 17 Compared to the embodiment shown, the (vertical) distance 2110 between the knob electrode 1310 and the third ring electrode 1440-1 is less than... Figure 17 The vertical distance shown is 1710. When the knob electrode 1310 is tilted, the vertical distance between the knob electrode 1310 and the third coil electrode 1440-1 is shortened, thus increasing the capacitance between them. Therefore, the touch processing device 9910 can detect that the user has pressed the knob electrode 1310 towards the third coil electrode 1440-1. Conversely, when the knob electrode 1310 is tilted, the vertical distance between it and the sensing knob electrode 120-1 is increased, thus decreasing the capacitance between them.

[0155] After the drive signal is emitted from the drive knob electrode 110, a portion of it flows back to the touch processing device 9910 sequentially via the knob electrode 1310 and the third-circle electrode 1440-1. Therefore, the drive signal sensed by the touch processing device 9910 via the knob electrode 1310 and the sensing knob electrode 120-1 is reduced. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that the touch processing device 9910 can more clearly determine whether the knob electrode 1310 covers the sensing knob electrode 120-1.

[0156] In the previous embodiments, the drive knob electrode 110 and the plurality of sensing knob electrodes included in the knob electrode area form two concentric rings. If these two concentric rings are unfolded and straightened, they can constitute a slider electrode area. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 1 The touch processing device 9910 shown can also be connected to the slider electrode area via a network module. The direction of user control is also changed from rotating the knob to moving the slider linearly.

[0157] Please refer to Figure 22The diagram shown is a top view of a slider electrode area 2200 according to an embodiment of this application. The slider electrode area 2200 includes an elongated drive slider electrode 2210 and N sensing slider electrodes corresponding to the drive slider electrode 2210, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. The drive slider electrode 2210 has a longer length in a first direction (e.g., the horizontal axis). The N sensing slider electrodes are evenly arranged in this first direction. The drive slider electrode 2210 is connected to the connection network module 9911 of the touch processing device 9910 via wires 2211. The three sensing slider electrodes 2220-1 to 2220-3 are connected to the connection network module 9911 of the touch processing device 9910 via wires 2221-1 to 2221-3, respectively.

[0158] Despite Figure 22 In the embodiment shown, the left edge of the leftmost sensing slider electrode 2220-1 is aligned with the left edge of the driving slider electrode 2210, and the right edge of the rightmost sensing slider electrode 2220-3 is aligned with the right edge of the driving slider electrode 2210. However, those skilled in the art will understand that alignment is not required in other embodiments.

[0159] For ease of calculation, the area and shape of each of the N sensing slider electrodes can be the same, and the distance between each sensing slider electrode and the driving slider electrode 2210 can also be the same.

[0160] Please refer to Figure 23 As shown, it is Figure 22 A variation of the slider electrode area 2200 in the illustrated embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, Figure 23 The variations shown can be applied Figure 22 Description of the embodiments. With Figure 22 compared to, Figure 23 The illustrated slider electrode area 2200 also includes a third electrode 2230 connected to both ground potential and DC potential. Those skilled in the art will understand that this third electrode 2230 is related to... Figure 12 The function of the third ring electrode 1230 shown is the same. The shape of the third electrode 2230 is the result of unfolding and straightening the shape of the third ring electrode 1230.

[0161] In one embodiment, the third electrode 2230 and the N sensing slider electrodes are respectively located on both sides of the driving slider electrode 2210. In one embodiment, the length of the third electrode 2230 in a first direction (e.g., the horizontal axis) is equivalent to the length of the driving slider electrode 2210. In one embodiment, the length of the third electrode 2230 in a second direction (e.g., the vertical axis) is equivalent to the length of the driving slider electrode 2210. Those skilled in the art will understand that this application does not limit the shape of the third electrode 2230.

[0162] Please refer to Figure 24A As shown, it is the slider electrode 2410A covering the... Figure 22 The diagram shows a top view above the slider electrode area 2200. The slider electrode 2410A may be part of a slider. The slider electrode 2410A may be directly connected to a finger, or there may be an insulating material between the slider and the finger. The slider electrode 2410A may be movable in a first direction (e.g., a horizontal axis) 2420.

[0163] The slider electrode 2410A is not in direct contact with the driving slider electrode 2210 and the N sensing slider electrodes. The slider electrode 2410A may cover one or two adjacent sensing slider electrodes. The touch processing device 9910 can emit a driving signal through the driving slider electrode 2210. After the slider electrode 2410A senses the driving signal, one or two adjacent sensing slider electrodes below it will also sense the driving signal. The touch processing device 9910 can then sense the driving signal based on these one or two adjacent sensing slider electrodes. Based on the intensity change of the driving signal sensed by each sensing slider electrode, the touch processing device 9910 can calculate the position of the slider electrode 2410A.

[0164] Please refer to Figure 24B As shown, it is another slider electrode 2410B covering the Figure 22 The diagram shows a top view above the slider electrode area 2200. To enhance the capacitance between the slider electrode 2410A and the driving slider electrode 2210, the shape of the slider electrode 2410B is enlarged in the upper portion of the driving slider electrode 2210. Figure 24A Compared to the embodiments shown, Figure 24B The driving signal sensed by the sensing slider electrode 2220-3 shown has a greater intensity, so the touch processing device 9910 can calculate the position of the slider electrode 2410B more accurately.

[0165] Please refer to Figure 25A As shown, it is the slider electrode 2510A covering the... Figure 23 The top view above the slider electrode area 2200 shown. Figure 25AThe illustrated embodiment is also Figure 24A A variation of the illustrated embodiment. Since the slider electrode 2510A covers the third electrode 2230, a portion of the drive signal flows to the ground potential via the third electrode 2230.

[0166] Please refer to Figure 25B As shown, it is another slider electrode 2510B covering the Figure 23 The top view above the slider electrode area 2200 shown. Figure 25B The illustrated embodiment is also Figure 24B Variations of the illustrated embodiment. To enhance the capacitance between the slider electrode 2510B and the drive slider electrode 2210, the shape of the slider electrode 2510B is enlarged in the upper portion of the drive slider electrode 2210. To enhance the capacitance between the slider electrode 2510B and the third electrode 2230, the shape of the slider electrode 2510B is enlarged in the upper portion of the third electrode 2230. Figure 25A Compared to the embodiment shown, since the portion of the third electrode 2230 covered by the slider electrode 2510B is increased, a larger portion of the drive signal will flow to the ground potential via the third electrode 2230.

[0167] like Figures 22 to 25B In the illustrated embodiment, the pointing position of the slider can be determined based on the ratio of the two larger values ​​among the sensing signals from the N sensing slider electrodes. For example, when the knob 2200 is positioned above the sensing slider electrode 2220-3, the signal sensed by the sensing slider electrode 2220-3 is at its maximum value. The signals sensed by the sensing slider electrodes 2220-1 and 2220-2 should be less than a certain threshold value. Therefore, the processor module 9914 of the touch processing device 9910 can determine that the knob 2200 is positioned above the sensing slider electrode 2220-3.

[0168] When knob 2200 is positioned above two adjacent sensing slider electrodes, the position of knob 2200 relative to these two adjacent sensing slider electrodes can be determined by using the ratio of the sensing signal intensities of these two sensing slider electrodes. The ratio of the two adjacent sensing signals corresponds to the ratio of the areas covered by each slider electrode. Therefore, by calculating the ratio of the two adjacent sensing signals, the ratio of the areas covered by each slider electrode can be estimated. In other words, the relative position of the slider electrode to the two adjacent sensing slider electrodes, which is the pointing position of knob 2200, can be determined.

[0169] Those skilled in the art will understand that, although the various embodiments of this application may be used... Figure 1The touch processing device 9910 shown is not limited to being connected to the touch screen 9920. In some embodiments, the touch processing device 9910 may only be connected to the knob electrode area or the slider electrode area, without needing to be connected to the touch screen 9920. In these embodiments, the touch processing device 9910 may not need to be connected to the network module 9911. It may be directly connected to the aforementioned driving knob electrode or driving slider electrode through the driving circuit module 9912, or directly connected to the aforementioned sensing knob electrode or sensing slider electrode through the sensing circuit module 9913. Alternatively, the third ring electrode or third electrode may be directly connected to ground potential or DC potential. Since it is not necessary to connect the network module 9911 to connect dozens or hundreds of touch electrodes of the touch screen 9920 in a time-division manner, a significant amount of chip area and control circuitry can be saved.

[0170] In addition, when the touch processing device 9910 is only connected to the knob electrode area or the slider electrode area, the complex processor module 9914 may not be necessary. In some embodiments, the knob detection method or slider detection method provided in this application can be implemented using a field-effect programmable gate array (FPGA) and / or specific custom circuitry. In this way, the microprocessor, system memory, and read-only memory for storing firmware required by the processor module 9914 can be omitted, resulting in greater cost savings.

[0171] However, those skilled in the art will understand that when the touch processing device 9910 needs to connect to the touch screen 9920, the aforementioned processor module 9914 and connection network module 9911 are required. Beyond the necessary cost, the touch processing device 9910 can also be used to connect to the knob electrode area or the slider electrode area. Since the required hardware cost has already been amortized, the touch processing device 9910 can obtain knob or slider detection functionality at a minimal cost in terms of firmware space and system memory space.

[0172] Please refer to Figure 26 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a touch system 2600 according to an embodiment of this application. The touch system 2600 is... Figure 1 The touch system 9900 shown is a variation of the touch processing device 9910, and the touch processing device 2601 is also a variation of the touch processing device 9910. The touch processing device 2601 also includes a network module 9910, a driving circuit module 9912, a sensing circuit module 9913, a processor module 9914, and an interface module 9915. The network module 9910 of the touch processing device 2601 can be connected to the touch screen 9920, the rotary electrode area 100, the slider electrode area 2200, and one or more touch buttons 2640.

[0173] The aforementioned touch button 2640 can be a capacitive touch button, comprising a first button electrode and a second button electrode respectively connected to the network module 9910. The touch processing device 2601 can emit a drive signal through the first button electrode and sense the drive signal sensed by the second button electrode, thereby determining whether the user is near or in contact with the touch button 2640 based on changes in the drive signal.

[0174] The touch processing device 2601 may include a peripheral device connection interface 2610, such as commonly used industry-standard interfaces like I2C or USB. This peripheral device connection interface 2610 may include a master module responsible for connecting to other external modules. Figure 26 As shown, the peripheral device connection interface 2610 may include one or more modules. For example, one or more temperature sensors 2611, external memory modules 2612 (e.g., flash memory or electronically erasable read-only memory), near-field communication readers 2613, etc. Those skilled in the art will understand that the number and type of external modules connected to the peripheral device connection interface 2610 are limited only by the specifications of industry standard interfaces.

[0175] The host 9940 can execute the drivers for the aforementioned external modules and connect to each external module through the interface module 9915 and peripheral device connection interface 2610 included in the touch processing device 2601. Since the touch processing device 2601 is only responsible for transmitting messages between the external modules and the host 9940, it is transparent to the driver of the host 9940. The host 9940 can directly control or communicate with the external modules.

[0176] Accordingly, the touch processing device 2601 can also serve as a hub for various peripheral devices. This allows the host 9940 to connect to more external modules through the touch processing device 2601 and gain more functionality without needing to expand the ports of its own input / output interface module 9941. With this flexibility, the touch system 2600 can be further reduced in size.

[0177] The touch processing device 2601 may include a pulse width modulation (PWM) unit 2620 for outputting a PWM signal to an external amplifier module 2622. The amplifier module 2622 can be used to drive a haptic speaker module 2623. The haptic speaker module 2623 is typically mounted on the back of the touchscreen 9920 or touch panel. When a user touches the touchscreen 9920, the haptic speaker module 2623 can emit a sound, causing the touchscreen 9920 to vibrate tactilely. This provides tactile feedback to the user through their fingers. Those skilled in the art will understand that the aforementioned haptic speaker module 2623 can be mounted near the knob electrode area 100, the slider electrode area 2200, or one or more touch buttons 2640 to provide haptic feedback signals to the user.

[0178] Since the processor module 9914 can detect the touch status of the touch screen 9920, the knob electrode area 100, the slider electrode area 2200, or one or more touch buttons 2640, the processor module 9914 can directly instruct the pulse width modulator (PWM) 2620 to send a modulation signal via digital instructions, thereby activating the aforementioned amplifier module 2622 and haptic speaker module 2623 to provide haptic feedback.

[0179] The touch processing device 2601 may include one or more Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) interfaces 2630 for control or communication with external modules. In such cases... Figure 26 In one embodiment, the UART interface 2630 can be used to connect one or more fan controllers 2631. The fan controller 2631 can control the fan via a motor 2632 for cooling. The motor 2632 can be a brushless DC motor or other type of motor.

[0180] Those skilled in the art will understand that the aforementioned UART interface 2630 can also be replaced by a general purpose input / output (GPIO) interface. The aforementioned pulse width modulator (PWM) 2620, universal asynchronous transceiver (UART) interface 2630, or general purpose input / output (GPIO) interface all facilitate the processor module 9914 in controlling external modules using digital instructions.

[0181] In the aforementioned Figure 3 and Figure 24A and Figure 24BIn some embodiments, if the temperature is extremely cold, the aforementioned knob or slider may become unable to rotate or slide smoothly due to freezing of moisture. In such cases, in the embodiments of this application, the knob or slider's mechanical structure can be detached from its electrode area. When the touch processing device 9900 detects that the knob or slider has been detached, it can enter a finger-driven mode. In this way, a finger can act as the knob or slider electrode.

[0182] When a finger approaches the drive knob electrode 110 and the sensing knob electrode 120-1, or when a finger approaches the sensing knob electrode 120-1, the touch processing device 9900 can determine that the user wants to press the sensing knob electrode 120-1 based on whether the sensing value of the sensing knob electrode 120-1 is different from the sensing values ​​of the other two sensing knob electrodes 120-2 and 120-3, or based on whether the sensing value of the sensing knob electrode 120-1 is different from a reference value.

[0183] When a finger approaches the drive knob electrode 110 and the sensing knob electrodes 120-1 and 120-2, or when a finger approaches the sensing knob electrodes 120-1 and 120-2, the touch processing device 9900 can determine that the user wants to press the sensing knob electrodes 120-1 and 120-2 simultaneously based on the difference between the sensing values ​​of the sensing knob electrodes 120-1 and 120-2 and the reference value.

[0184] Similarly, when a finger approaches the drive slider electrode 2210 and the sensing slider electrode 2220-1, or when a finger approaches the sensing slider electrode 2220-1, the touch processing device 9900 can determine that the user wants to press the sensing slider electrode 2220-1 based on whether the sensing value of the sensing slider electrode 2220-1 is different from the sensing values ​​of the other two sensing slider electrodes 2220-2 and 2220-3, or based on whether the sensing value of the sensing slider electrode 2220-1 is different from a reference value.

[0185] Similarly, when a finger approaches the drive slider electrode 2210 and the sensing slider electrodes 2220-1 and 2220-2, or when a finger approaches the sensing slider electrodes 2220-1 and 2220-2, the touch processing device 9900 can determine that the user wants to press the sensing slider electrodes 2220-1 and 2220-2 simultaneously based on the difference between the sensing values ​​of the sensing slider electrodes 2220-1 and 2220-2 and the reference value.

[0186] Please refer to Figure 27The diagram shown is a schematic flowchart of a touch processing method 2700 for a capacitive sensing knob device according to an embodiment of this application. This touch processing method 2700 can be applied to... Figure 1 The touch system 9900 shown is particularly suitable for touch processing device 9910. The processor module 9914 can implement touch processing method 2700 using multiple instructions and data stored in non-volatile memory. This application does not limit the order in which any two steps are executed when there is no direct or indirect causal relationship between them. Touch processing method 2700 can begin with step 2710.

[0187] Step 2710: Instruct the drive circuit module to provide a drive signal to the second coil electrode. The second coil electrode may include a drive knob electrode.

[0188] Optional step 2720: Connect the connection network module to the one or more third-circle electrodes to ground potential or DC potential.

[0189] Step 2730: The sensing circuit module senses the drive signal sensed by the plurality of first-ring electrodes respectively, so as to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively. The plurality of first-ring electrodes may include sensing knob electrodes.

[0190] Step 2740: Calculate the direction of the knob based on the plurality of sensing values. This step further includes: finding the two largest adjacent sensing values ​​among the plurality of sensing values; calculating the ratio of the two largest adjacent sensing values; and calculating the direction of the knob based on the ratio. The process can then proceed to steps 2750, 2760, or 2770.

[0191] Optional step 2750: Based on the multiple sensing values, determine whether the vertical distance between the knob electrode and the second-circle electrode is set at the first distance or the second distance. When it is determined that the distance is set at the first distance, the knob is considered to be in a pressed state, and when it is determined that the distance is set at the second distance, the knob is considered to be in a non-pressed state.

[0192] Optional step 2760: Determine the vertical distance between the knob electrode and the second-circle electrode based on the multiple sensing values, and calculate the force value of the knob based on the vertical distance.

[0193] Step 2770: Report the aforementioned sensing results back to the host.

[0194] Please refer to Figure 28 The diagram shown is a flowchart illustrating a touch processing method 2800 for a capacitive sensing knob device according to an embodiment of this application. This touch processing method 2800 can be applied to... Figure 1The touch system 9900 shown is particularly suitable for touch processing device 9910. The processor module 9914 can implement touch processing method 2800 using multiple instructions and data stored in non-volatile memory. This application does not limit the order in which any two steps are executed when there is no direct or indirect causal relationship between them. Touch processing method 2800 is a variation of touch processing method 2700 and is particularly suitable for… Figure 21 The illustrated embodiment. Touch processing method 2800 utilizes certain steps of touch processing method 2700, so they will not be described further. This touch processing method 2800 may begin with step 2710.

[0195] Step 2810: Connect the network module to the plurality of third-ring electrodes respectively, and make the sensing circuit module sense the driving signal sensed by the plurality of third-ring electrodes respectively, so as to generate a plurality of second sensing values ​​respectively.

[0196] Step 2820: Calculate the direction in which the knob is pressed based on the multiple second sensing values.

[0197] Please refer to Figure 29 The diagram shown is a schematic flowchart of a touch processing method 2900 for a capacitive sensing slider device according to an embodiment of this application. This touch processing method 2900 can be applied to... Figure 1 The touch system 9900 shown is particularly suitable for touch processing device 9910. The processor module 9914 can implement touch processing method 2900 using multiple instructions and data stored in non-volatile memory. This application does not limit the order in which any two steps are executed when there is no direct or indirect causal relationship between them. Touch processing method 2900 can begin with step 210.

[0198] Step 2910: Instruct the drive circuit module to provide a drive signal to the drive slider electrode.

[0199] Optional step 2920: Instruct the connection network module to connect one or more third electrodes to ground potential or DC potential.

[0200] Step 2930: The sensing circuit module senses the drive signal sensed by the multiple sensing slider electrodes respectively, so as to generate multiple sensing values ​​respectively.

[0201] Step 2940: Calculate the position of the slider based on the multiple sensing values. This step further includes: finding the two largest adjacent sensing values ​​among the multiple sensing values; calculating the ratio between the two largest adjacent sensing values; and calculating the position of the slider based on the ratio. The process can then proceed to steps 2950, ​​2960, or 2970.

[0202] Optional step 2950: Based on the multiple sensing values, determine whether the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the sensing slider electrode is set at the first distance or the second distance. When it is determined that the distance is set at the first distance, it is considered that the slider is in a pressed state, and when it is determined that the distance is set at the second distance, it is considered that the slider is in a non-pressed state.

[0203] Optional step 2960: Based on the multiple sensing values, determine the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the sensing slider electrode, and calculate the force value of the slider based on the vertical distance.

[0204] Step 2970: Report the aforementioned sensing results back to the host.

[0205] According to one embodiment of this application, a capacitive sensing knob device is provided, comprising: a knob electrode area, which includes: a plurality of first ring electrodes, which are evenly disposed on the circumference of a first circle, each of the first ring electrodes having the same area, each of the first ring electrodes having a similar shape and pointing concentrically towards the center of the first circle; and a second ring electrode, which is disposed on the circumference of a second circle, the first circle and the second circle being concentric circles; and a knob that rotates around the center of the circle, the knob including a first knob electrode, wherein when the knob is pointed to a first angle, the first knob electrode simultaneously covers a portion of two adjacent first ring electrodes and a portion of the second ring electrode.

[0206] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to indicate the direction of the knob, the number of the plurality of first ring electrodes is N, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 3. When the knob is pointed to a first angle, the first knob electrode does not simultaneously cover one of the first ring electrodes, but covers a portion of the remaining (N-1) adjacent first ring electrodes and a portion of the second ring electrodes. For example... Figure 8 The example shown.

[0207] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to indicate the direction of the knob, when the knob is pointed to the second angle, the first knob electrode simultaneously covers a portion of both the first and second turns of the electrode. For example Figure 4 The example shown.

[0208] Preferably, to enable the touch processing device to better detect the direction of the knob, the knob electrode area further includes one or more third-circle electrodes disposed on the circumference of the third circle, which is concentric with the second and first circles, wherein the diameter of the third circle is larger than the diameter of the second circle, and the diameter of the second circle is larger than the diameter of the first circle. For example Figure 12 The example shown.

[0209] Preferably, to allow the user to use the knob as a directional button, the knob electrode area includes a plurality of third-circle electrodes, which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the third circle. Each third-circle electrode has the same area, a similar shape, and points concentrically towards the center of the third circle. For example... Figure 14 The illustrated embodiment. Preferably, to allow the user to use the knob as a directional button, the first knob electrode is subjected to force, reducing its distance from at least one of the plurality of third-circle electrodes. For example... Figure 21 The example shown.

[0210] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to indicate the direction of the knob, the diameter of the first circle is larger than the diameter of the second circle. For example Figure 10 The illustrated embodiment. Preferably, to allow the drive signal to originate from the center, the second ring of electrodes is shaped like a circle encompassing the center of the second circle. For example... Figure 10 The illustrated embodiment. Preferably, to allow the touch processing device to better detect the direction of the knob, the area of ​​the knob electrode covering the second ring of electrodes remains constant regardless of the knob's direction. For example... Figure 11 The example shown.

[0211] Preferably, to allow the user to use the knob as a button, the aforementioned capacitive sensing knob device further includes: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the vertical distance between the knob electrode and the second-circle electrode to a first distance or a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance. For example Figure 17 and Figure 18 The example shown.

[0212] Preferably, to allow the user to use the knob as a force sensor, the aforementioned capacitive sensing knob device further includes: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the distance between the knob electrode and the second-turn electrode between a first distance and a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance, wherein when the knob is not subjected to force by the user, the connecting mechanism sets the distance between the knob electrode and the second-turn electrode at the second distance. For example Figure 17 and Figure 18 The example shown.

[0213] Preferably, to prevent the knob from freezing in low temperatures, the capacitive sensing knob device further includes a connection mechanism for selectively disengaging or engaging the knob with the knob electrode area.

[0214] Preferably, in order to save manufacturing costs, the plurality of first ring electrodes in the aforementioned knob electrode area are located on the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes parallel to the first axis of the touch panel, and the plurality of second ring electrodes in the aforementioned knob electrode area are located on the same layer as the plurality of second electrodes parallel to the second axis of the touch panel.

[0215] Preferably, in order to reduce thickness, the plurality of first-ring electrodes and the second-ring electrodes are located in the same layer.

[0216] Preferably, to facilitate detection by the touch processing device and increase the signal-to-noise ratio, the aforementioned knob includes a second knob electrode parallel to the first knob electrode, the second knob electrode being electrically coupled to the first knob electrode, and the first knob electrode being closer to the knob electrode area than the second knob electrode. For example... Figure 20B Examples of implementations.

[0217] According to one embodiment of this application, a capacitive sensing slider device is provided, comprising: a slider electrode region including: a plurality of sensing slider electrodes parallel to an axis, each of the sensing slider electrodes having the same area and the same distance between any two adjacent sensing slider electrodes; and a driving slider electrode parallel to the plurality of sensing slider electrodes; and a slider on the slider electrode region, the slider being selectively set at a plurality of positions parallel to the axis, the slider including a slider electrode, wherein when the slider is in a first position, the slider electrode simultaneously covers a portion of two adjacent sensing slider electrodes and a portion of the driving slider electrode.

[0218] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to set the position of the slider, when the slider is in the second position, the slider electrode simultaneously covers a portion of both the sensing slider electrode and the driving slider electrode. For example Figure 24A The example shown.

[0219] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to set the position of the slider, the area of ​​the slider electrode covering one or more sensing slider electrodes is smaller than the area of ​​the slider electrode covering the driving slider electrode. For example Figure 24B The example shown.

[0220] Preferably, to enable the touch processing device to better detect the position of the slider, the slider electrode area further includes one or more third electrodes parallel to the driving slider electrode, the one or more third electrodes and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes being located on both sides of the driving slider electrode. For example Figure 25A The illustrated embodiment. For example, Figure 25B The example shown.

[0221] Preferably, to make it easier for the user to set the position of the slider, the area of ​​the slider electrode covering one or more sensing slider electrodes is smaller than the area of ​​the slider electrode covering the one or more third electrodes.

[0222] Preferably, in order to allow the user to use the slider as a button, the capacitive sensing slider device further includes: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes at a first distance or a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

[0223] Preferably, in order to allow the user to use the slider as a force sensor, the capacitive sensing slider device further includes: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes between a first distance and a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance, wherein when the slider does not receive force from the user, the connecting mechanism sets the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes at the second distance.

[0224] Preferably, to prevent the slider from freezing in low temperatures, the capacitive sensing slider device further includes a connection mechanism for selectively disengaging or engaging the slider electrode area.

[0225] Preferably, in order to save manufacturing costs, the plurality of sensing slider electrodes in the aforementioned slider electrode area are located on the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes of the touch panel that are parallel to the first axis.

[0226] Preferably, in order to reduce thickness, the plurality of sensing slider electrodes and the driving slider electrode are located on the same layer.

[0227] According to an embodiment of this application, a touch processing device suitable for a capacitive sensing knob device is provided, comprising: a connection network module for connecting a plurality of first ring electrodes and a second ring electrode respectively; a sensing circuit module for connecting the plurality of first ring electrodes through the connection network module; a driving circuit module for connecting the second ring electrode through the connection network module; and a processor module for executing a plurality of instructions stored in non-volatile memory to perform the following steps: causing the driving circuit module to provide a driving signal to the second ring electrode; causing the sensing circuit module to sense the driving signal sensed by the plurality of first ring electrodes respectively to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively; calculating the direction of the knob based on the plurality of sensing values; and reporting the direction of the knob to the host.

[0228] Preferably, in order to calculate the direction of the knob, the step of calculating the direction of the knob based on the plurality of sensing values ​​further includes: finding the two largest adjacent sensing values ​​among the plurality of sensing values; calculating the ratio of the two largest adjacent sensing values; and calculating the direction of the knob based on the ratio.

[0229] Preferably, in order for the user to use the knob as a button, the processor module is further configured to: determine, based on the plurality of sensing values, whether the vertical distance between the knob electrode and the second ring electrode is set at the first distance or the second distance; when it is determined that the distance is set at the first distance, report to the host that the knob is in a pressed state; and when it is determined that the distance is set at the second distance, report to the host that the knob is in a non-pressed state.

[0230] Preferably, in order for the user to use the knob as a force sensor, the processor module is further configured to: determine the vertical distance between the knob electrode and the second-circle electrode based on the plurality of sensing values; calculate the force value of the knob based on the vertical distance; and report the force value to the host.

[0231] Preferably, in order to enable the touch processing device to better detect the direction of the knob, the processor module is also configured to: connect the one or more third-circle electrodes to ground potential or DC potential via the connection network module.

[0232] Preferably, in order for the user to use the knob as a direction button, the processor module is further configured to: connect the connection network module to the plurality of third-ring electrodes respectively; allow the sensing circuit module to sense the drive signal sensed by the plurality of third-ring electrodes respectively to generate a plurality of second sensing values ​​respectively; and calculate the direction in which the knob is pressed based on the plurality of second sensing values.

[0233] According to an embodiment of this application, a touch processing device suitable for a capacitive sensing slider device is provided, comprising: a connection network module for connecting the plurality of sensing slider electrodes and the driving slider electrode respectively; a sensing circuit module for connecting the plurality of sensing slider electrodes through the connection network module; a driving circuit module for connecting the driving slider electrode through the connection network module; and a processor module for executing a plurality of instructions stored in non-volatile memory to perform the following steps: causing the driving circuit module to provide a driving signal to the driving slider electrode; causing the sensing circuit module to sense the driving signal sensed by the plurality of sensing slider electrodes respectively to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively; calculating the position of the slider based on the plurality of sensing values; and reporting the position of the slider to the host.

[0234] Preferably, in order to calculate the position of the slider between the two sensing slider electrodes, the step of calculating the position of the slider based on the plurality of sensing values ​​further includes: finding the two largest adjacent sensing values ​​among the plurality of sensing values; calculating the ratio of the two largest adjacent sensing values; and calculating the position of the slider based on the ratio.

[0235] Preferably, in order to allow the user to use the slider as a button, the processor module is further configured to: determine, based on the plurality of sensing values, whether the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the sensing slider electrode is set at the first distance or the second distance; when it is determined that the distance is set at the first distance, report to the host that the slider is in a pressed state; and when it is determined that the distance is set at the second distance, report to the host that the slider is in a non-pressed state.

[0236] Preferably, in order for the user to use the slider as a force sensor, the processor module is further configured to: determine the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the sensing slider electrode based on the plurality of sensing values; calculate the force value of the slider based on the vertical distance; and report the force value to the host.

[0237] Preferably, in order for the touch processing device to better detect the position of the slider, the processor module is also configured to: connect the one or more third electrodes to ground potential or DC potential via the connection network module.

[0238] According to one embodiment of this application, a touch system is provided, comprising the aforementioned touch processing device and capacitive knob device.

[0239] According to one embodiment of this application, a touch system is provided, including the aforementioned touch processing device and capacitive slider device.

[0240] The capacitive sensing knob and slider devices provided in this application reduce the number of moving parts with electrically coupled contacts, preventing malfunctions due to wear of electrical connectors and thus increasing their service life. Furthermore, the touch processing method and device provided in this application can accurately calculate the knob direction and slider position of the capacitive sensing knob device based on the principle of mutual capacitance induction.

[0241] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A capacitive sensing knob device, characterized in that, It includes: a knob electrode area comprising: a plurality of first ring electrodes evenly disposed around the circumference of a first circle, each first ring electrode having the same area, each first ring electrode having a similar shape and pointing concentrically towards the center of the first circle; and a second ring electrode disposed around the circumference of a second circle, the first circle and the second circle being concentric circles; and a knob that rotates around the center, the knob including a first knob electrode, wherein when the knob is pointed to a first angle, the first knob electrode simultaneously covers a portion of two adjacent first ring electrodes and a portion of the second ring electrode.

2. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the plurality of first ring electrodes is N, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 3. When the knob is pointed to the first angle, the first knob electrode does not cover one of the first ring electrodes at the same time, but covers a portion of the remaining (N-1) adjacent first ring electrodes and a portion of the second ring electrodes.

3. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the knob is pointed to the second angle, the first knob electrode simultaneously covers a portion of the single first loop electrode and a portion of the second loop electrode.

4. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The knob electrode area also includes one or more third-circle electrodes disposed on the circumference of the third circle, wherein the third circle is concentric with the second circle and the first circle, and wherein the diameter of the third circle is larger than the diameter of the second circle, and the diameter of the second circle is larger than the diameter of the first circle.

5. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The knob electrode area includes a plurality of third-circle electrodes, which are evenly arranged on the circumference of the third circle. Each third-circle electrode has the same area, and each third-circle electrode has a similar shape and points concentrically toward the center of the third circle.

6. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first knob electrode is reduced in distance from at least one of the plurality of third-circle electrodes due to the force applied.

7. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the first circle is larger than the diameter of the second circle.

8. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The second electrode ring is a circle containing the center of the second circle.

9. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Regardless of the direction of the knob, the area of ​​the knob electrode covering the second ring electrode remains unchanged.

10. The capacitive sensing knob device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the vertical distance between the first knob electrode and the second rotary electrode to a first distance or a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

11. The capacitive sensing knob device of claim 1, further comprising: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the distance between the first knob electrode and the second rotary electrode between a first distance and a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance, wherein when the knob is not subjected to force by a user, the connecting mechanism sets the distance between the first knob electrode and the second rotary electrode at the second distance.

12. The capacitive sensing knob device of claim 1, further comprising: a connection mechanism for selectively disengaging or engaging the knob with the knob electrode area.

13. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of first-ring electrodes in the aforementioned knob electrode area are located on the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes parallel to the first axis of the touch panel, and the second-ring electrodes in the aforementioned knob electrode area are located on the same layer as the plurality of second electrodes parallel to the second axis of the touch panel.

14. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of first-ring electrodes and second-ring electrodes are located in the same layer.

15. The capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned knob includes a second knob electrode parallel to the first knob electrode, the second knob electrode being electrically coupled to the first knob electrode, and the first knob electrode being closer to the knob electrode area than the second knob electrode.

16. A capacitive sensing slider device, characterized in that, It includes: a slider electrode area, which includes: a plurality of sensing slider electrodes parallel to the axis, each of the sensing slider electrodes having the same area and the same distance between any two adjacent sensing slider electrodes; And a drive slider electrode parallel to the plurality of sensing slider electrodes; And a slider on the slider electrode area, the slider being selectively set to a plurality of positions parallel to the axis, the slider including slider electrodes, the slider electrodes simultaneously covering portions of two adjacent sensing slider electrodes and a portion of the driving slider electrode when the slider is in a first position.

17. The capacitive sensing slider device as described in claim 16, characterized in that, When the slider is in the second position, the slider electrode simultaneously covers a portion of both the sensing slider electrode and the driving slider electrode.

18. The capacitive sensing slider device as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The area of ​​the slider electrode covering one or more sensing slider electrodes is smaller than the area of ​​the slider electrode covering the driving slider electrode.

19. The capacitive sensing slider device as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The slider electrode area also includes one or more third electrodes parallel to the driving slider electrode, and the one or more third electrodes and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes are respectively located on both sides of the driving slider electrode.

20. The capacitive sensing slider device as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The area of ​​the slider electrode covering one or more sensing slider electrodes is smaller than the area of ​​the slider electrode covering the one or more electrodes.

21. The capacitive sensing slider device of claim 16, further comprising: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes at a first distance or a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance.

22. The capacitive sensing slider device of claim 16, further comprising: a connecting mechanism for selectively setting the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes between a first distance and a second distance, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance, wherein when the slider is not subjected to force by a user, the connecting mechanism sets the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the plurality of sensing slider electrodes at the second distance.

23. The capacitive sensing slider device of claim 16, further comprising: a connection mechanism for selectively disengaging or engaging the slider electrode area.

24. The capacitive sensing slider device as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The plurality of sensing slider electrodes in the aforementioned slider electrode area are located on the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes of the touch panel that are parallel to the first axis.

25. The capacitive sensing slider device as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The plurality of sensing slider electrodes and the driving slider electrodes are located on the same layer.

26. A touch processing device suitable for the capacitive sensing knob device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 7 to 15, characterized in that, It includes: a connection network module for connecting the plurality of first-ring electrodes and the second-ring electrodes respectively; a sensing circuit module for connecting the plurality of first-ring electrodes through the connection network module; and a driving circuit module for connecting the second-ring electrodes through the connection network module. And a processor module for executing multiple instructions stored in non-volatile memory to achieve the following steps: having the drive circuit module provide a drive signal to the second ring electrode; The sensing circuit module is instructed to sense the driving signals sensed by the plurality of first-ring electrodes respectively, so as to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively; The direction of the knob is calculated based on the multiple sensed values; And to report the direction of the knob back to the host.

27. The touch processing device as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, The processor module is further configured to: determine, based on the plurality of sensing values, whether the vertical distance between the first knob electrode and the second rotary electrode is set to the first distance or the second distance; when it is determined to be set to the first distance, report to the host that the knob is in a pressed state; and when it is determined to be set to the second distance, report to the host that the knob is in a non-pressed state.

28. The touch processing device as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, The processor module is further configured to: determine the vertical distance between the first knob electrode and the second rotary electrode based on the plurality of sensing values; calculate the force value of the knob based on the vertical distance; and report the force value to the host.

29. The touch processing device as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, The step of calculating the direction of the knob based on the plurality of sensing values ​​further includes: finding the two largest adjacent sensing values ​​among the plurality of sensing values; calculating the ratio of the two largest adjacent sensing values; and calculating the direction of the knob based on the ratio.

30. A touch processing device suitable for the capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It includes: a connection network module for connecting the plurality of first-ring electrodes and the second-ring electrodes respectively; a sensing circuit module for connecting the plurality of first-ring electrodes through the connection network module; and a driving circuit module for connecting the second-ring electrodes through the connection network module. And a processor module for executing multiple instructions stored in non-volatile memory to achieve the following steps: causing the connection network module to connect the one or more third-ring electrodes to ground potential or DC potential; The driving circuit module provides a driving signal to the second electrode. The sensing circuit module is instructed to sense the driving signals sensed by the plurality of first-ring electrodes respectively, so as to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively; The direction of the knob is calculated based on the multiple sensed values; And to report the direction of the knob to the host.

31. A touch processing device suitable for the capacitive sensing knob device as described in claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that, It includes: a connection network module for connecting the plurality of first-ring electrodes and the second-ring electrodes respectively; a sensing circuit module for connecting the plurality of first-ring electrodes and the plurality of third-ring electrodes respectively through the connection network module; and a driving circuit module for connecting the second-ring electrodes through the connection network module. And a processor module for executing multiple instructions stored in non-volatile memory to achieve the following steps: having the drive circuit module provide a drive signal to the second ring electrode; The sensing circuit module is instructed to sense the driving signals sensed by the plurality of first-ring electrodes respectively, so as to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively; The sensing circuit module is instructed to sense the driving signals sensed by the plurality of third-ring electrodes respectively, so as to generate a plurality of second sensing values ​​respectively; The direction of the knob is calculated based on the multiple sensed values; The direction in which the knob is pressed is calculated based on the plurality of second sensing values; And report the direction of the knob and the direction in which the knob is pressed back to the host.

32. A touch processing device suitable for a capacitive sensing slider device as described in any one of claims 17, 18, and 20 to 25, characterized in that, Includes: a network connection module for connecting the plurality of sensing slider electrodes and the driving slider electrodes respectively; A sensing circuit module is used to connect the plurality of sensing slider electrodes through the connection network module; A drive circuit module is used to connect the drive slider electrode through the connection network module; And a processor module for executing multiple instructions stored in non-volatile memory to achieve the following steps: having the drive circuit module provide a drive signal to the drive slider electrode; The sensing circuit module is instructed to sense the drive signals sensed by the plurality of sensing slider electrodes respectively, so as to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively; The position of the slider is calculated based on the multiple sensing values; And report the position of the slider to the host.

33. The touch processing device as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that, The step of calculating the position of the slider based on the plurality of sensing values ​​further includes: finding the two largest adjacent sensing values ​​among the plurality of sensing values; calculating the ratio of the two largest adjacent sensing values; and calculating the position of the slider based on the ratio.

34. The touch processing device as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that, The processor module is further configured to: determine, based on the plurality of sensing values, whether the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the sensing slider electrode is set to the first distance or the second distance; when it is determined to be set to the first distance, report to the host that the slider is in a pressed state; and when it is determined to be set to the second distance, report to the host that the slider is in a non-pressed state.

35. The touch processing device as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that, The processor module is further configured to: determine the vertical distance between the slider electrode and the sensing slider electrode based on the plurality of sensing values; and calculate the force value of the slider based on the vertical distance. And report the force value back to the host.

36. A touch processing device suitable for the capacitive sensing slider device as described in claim 19, characterized in that, Includes: a network connection module for connecting the plurality of sensing slider electrodes and the driving slider electrodes respectively; A sensing circuit module is used to connect the plurality of sensing slider electrodes through the connection network module; A drive circuit module is used to connect the drive slider electrode through the connection network module; And a processor module for executing multiple instructions stored in non-volatile memory to achieve the following steps: causing the connection network module to connect the one or more third electrodes to ground potential or DC potential; The drive circuit module provides a drive signal to the drive slider electrode; The sensing circuit module is instructed to sense the drive signals sensed by the plurality of sensing slider electrodes respectively, so as to generate a plurality of sensing values ​​respectively; The position of the slider is calculated based on the multiple sensing values; And report the position of the slider to the host.

37. A touch system, characterized in that, It includes the capacitive sensing knob device and touch processing device as described in claim 26.

38. A touch system, characterized in that, It includes the capacitive sensing knob device and touch processing device as described in claim 27.

39. A touch system, characterized in that, It includes the capacitive sensing knob device and touch processing device as described in claim 28.

40. A touch system, characterized in that, It includes the capacitive sensing knob device and touch processing device as described in claim 29.

41. A touch system, characterized in that, It includes the capacitive sensing knob device and touch processing device as described in claim 31.

42. A touch system, characterized in that, It includes the capacitive sensing slider device and touch processing device as described in claim 32.

43. A touch system, characterized in that, It includes the capacitive sensing slider device and touch processing device as described in claim 34.

44. A touch system, characterized in that, It includes the capacitive sensing slider device and touch processing device as described in claim 35.

45. A touch system, characterized in that, It includes the capacitive sensing slider device and touch processing device as described in claim 36.

Images