Stylus and its downlink transmission method

Abstract

The present application provides a stylus and a downlink transmission method thereof. The stylus includes an antenna portion, a frequency divider, and a modulation circuit. The modulation circuit is coupled to the frequency divider and the antenna portion. The frequency divider divides transmission data intended for a sensing panel into a plurality of frequency channel data, wherein the frequency channel data respectively correspond to different downlink frequencies. The modulation circuit modulates a corresponding one of a plurality of carriers having different downlink frequencies based on each of the frequency channel data to generate a plurality of modulated downlink signals having different downlink frequencies to the antenna portion. The antenna portion transmits the modulated downlink signals to the sensing panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a touch device, and more particularly to a stylus and its downlink transmission method. Background Technology

[0002] Users use a stylus to perform touch operations on the sensing panel. The stylus emits a downlink signal to the sensing panel, allowing the panel to detect the stylus's position on the panel. Generally, the downlink signal emitted by the stylus is a single-frequency signal. The stylus uses Phase-Shift Keying (PSK), Binary Phase-Shift Keying (BPSK), Differential Binary Phase-Shift Keying (DBPSK), Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK), or Differential Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (DQPSK) to encode data bits into a single-frequency signal, which serves as the downlink signal emitted by the stylus.

[0003] It should be noted that the content of the "Background Art" paragraph is used to help understand the present invention. Some (or all) of the content disclosed in the "Background Art" paragraph may not be known to those skilled in the art. The content disclosed in the "Background Art" paragraph does not imply that such content was known to those skilled in the art prior to this application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a stylus and a downlink transmission method thereof to transmit data to a sensing panel via multiple downlink frequencies.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, the stylus includes an antenna section, a frequency allocator, and a modulation circuit. The modulation circuit is coupled to the frequency allocator and the antenna section. The frequency allocator divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel into multiple frequency channel data, wherein these frequency channel data correspond to different downlink frequencies. The modulation circuit modulates one of the corresponding carriers with different downlink frequencies based on each of these frequency channel data to generate multiple modulated downlink signals with different downlink frequencies to the antenna section. The antenna section transmits these modulated downlink signals to the sensing panel.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the downlink transmission method described above includes: dividing the transmission data to be sent to the sensing panel into multiple frequency channel data by a frequency divider of the stylus, wherein these frequency channel data correspond to different downlink frequencies; modulating one of the multiple carriers with different downlink frequencies by a modulation circuit of the stylus based on each of these frequency channel data to generate multiple modulated downlink signals with different downlink frequencies to an antenna section of the stylus; and transmitting these modulated downlink signals to the sensing panel by the antenna section.

[0007] Based on the above, the stylus described in the embodiments of the present invention divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel into multiple frequency channel data corresponding to different downlink frequencies. These frequency channel data are then carried on multiple carriers with different downlink frequencies to generate multiple modulated downlink signals with different downlink frequencies. The stylus transmits these modulated downlink signals to the sensing panel. Therefore, the stylus can transmit data to the sensing panel via multiple downlink frequencies.

[0008] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an operation scenario of a touch system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a circuit block for a stylus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a downlink transmission method for a stylus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna section according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna section according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modulated downlink signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modulated downlink signal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modulated downlink signal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modulated downlink signal according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modulated downlink signal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a modulated downlink signal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of icon numbers

[0021] 100: Touchscreen system

[0022] 110: Sensing Panel

[0023] 120: Stylus

[0024] 121: Frequency Divider

[0025] 122: Modulation circuit

[0026] 123: Antenna section

[0027] 410, 510: Multitasking

[0028] 420, 520: Pen tip antenna

[0029] 530_1, 530_n: Ring antenna

[0030] D_1, D_m: Frequency channel data

[0031] DD6_1, DD6_2, DD6_3, DD7_1, DD7_2, DD7_3: During display driver operation

[0032] DLs: Downlink signals

[0033] DS6_1, DS6_2, DS6_3, DS7_1, DS7_2, DS7_3, DS8, DS9, DS10, DS11: Downlink time slots

[0034] DS8_1, DS8_2, DS8_3, DS8_4, DS9_1, DS9_2, DS9_3, DS9_4, DS10_1, DS10_2, DS10_3, DS10_4, DS11_1, DS11_2, DS11_3, DS11_4: Sub-time slots

[0035] Sm_1, Sm_m: Modulated downlink signals

[0036] S310, S320, S330: Steps Detailed Implementation

[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0038] The term "coupled (or connected)" as used throughout this application (including the claims) may refer to any direct or indirect means of connection. For example, if the text describes a first device coupled (or connected) to a second device, it should be interpreted as the first device being directly connected to the second device, or the first device being indirectly connected to the second device through other devices or some means of connection. The terms "first," "second," etc., used throughout this application (including the claims) are used to name components or distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not intended to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of components, nor to limit the order of components. Furthermore, wherever possible, components / components / steps using the same reference numerals in the drawings and embodiments represent the same or similar parts. Components / components / steps using the same reference numerals or the same terms in different embodiments can be referred to mutually in the relevant descriptions.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an operation scenario of a touch system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The touch system 100 shown includes a sensing panel 110 and a stylus 120. Depending on the application and design, the sensing panel 110 can be a touch panel, a touch display panel, or other sensing panel. The stylus 120 can emit downlink signals (DLs) with multiple downlink frequencies to the sensing panel 110, enabling the sensing panel 110 to sense the position of the stylus 120 on the sensing panel 110.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a circuit block of a stylus 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 The stylus 120 shown can be used as Figure 1 This is one of many implementation examples of the stylus 120 shown. Figure 2 The stylus 120 and downlink signal DLs shown can be referenced. Figure 1 The relevant explanations are omitted here. Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the stylus 120 includes a frequency allocator 121, a modulation circuit 122, and an antenna section 123. Depending on the application and design, the antenna section 123 may include one or more antennas. The modulation circuit 122 is coupled to the frequency allocator 121 and the antenna section 123. Depending on the design, in some embodiments, the frequency allocator 121 and / or the modulation circuit 122 may be implemented as hardware circuitry. In other embodiments, the frequency allocator 121 and / or the modulation circuit 122 may be implemented as a combination of hardware, firmware, and software (i.e., programs).

[0041] In hardware form, the frequency divider 121 and / or modulation circuit 122 described above can be implemented as logic circuits on an integrated circuit. For example, the functions of the frequency divider 121 and / or modulation circuit 122 can be implemented in various logic blocks, modules, and circuits within one or more hardware controllers, microcontrollers, hardware processors, microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), central processing units (CPUs), and / or other processing units. The functions of the frequency divider 121 and / or modulation circuit 122 can be implemented as hardware circuits, such as various logic blocks, modules, and circuits in an integrated circuit, using hardware description languages ​​(such as Verilog HDL or VHDL) or other suitable programming languages.

[0042] In software and / or firmware form, the functions of the frequency distributor 121 and / or modulation circuit 122 can be implemented as programming codes. For example, the frequency distributor 121 and / or modulation circuit 122 can be implemented using general programming languages ​​(such as C, C++, or assembly language) or other suitable programming languages. The programming codes can be recorded / stored in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. In some embodiments, the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium includes, for example, semiconductor memory and / or a storage device. An electronic device (e.g., a CPU, hardware controller, microcontroller, hardware processor, or microprocessor) can read and execute the programming codes from the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium to implement the functions of the frequency distributor 121 and / or modulation circuit 122.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a downlink transmission method for a stylus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 In step S310, the frequency divider 121 divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel 110 into multiple frequency channel data, for example... Figure 2 The diagram shows m frequency channel data D_1, ..., D_m, where m is an integer determined based on the actual design. These frequency channel data D_1 to D_m correspond to different downlink frequencies. Based on actual operation and application, the transmitted data may include stylus 120 identification (ID) information, pen tip pressure information, battery information, button operation information, or other data.

[0044] This embodiment does not limit the specific implementation of the modulation circuit 122. For example, the modulation circuit 122 may include an on-off keying (OOK) modulator, an amplitude-shift keying (ASK) modulator, or other amplitude modulators. In step S320, the modulation circuit 122 modulates one of the corresponding carriers with different downlink frequencies based on each of these frequency channel data D_1 to D_m to generate multiple modulated downlink signals Sm_1, ..., Sm_m with different downlink frequencies to the antenna unit 123. In step S330, the antenna unit 123 transmits these modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m as downlink signals DLs with different downlink frequencies to the sensing panel 110.

[0045] In summary, the stylus 120 divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel 110 into frequency channel data D_1 to D_m corresponding to different downlink frequencies. These frequency channel data D_1 to D_m are then carried on multiple carriers with different downlink frequencies to generate multiple modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m with different downlink frequencies. The stylus 120 transmits these modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m as downlink signals DLs to the sensing panel 110. Therefore, the stylus 120 can transmit data to the sensing panel 110 via multiple downlink frequencies. Compared to the single-frequency downlink signal emitted by a typical stylus, the stylus 120 transmits data to the sensing panel 110 via multi-frequency downlink signals, thereby accelerating downlink data transmission.

[0046] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna section 123 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the antenna section 123 includes a multiplexer 410 and a pen tip antenna 420. The output of the multiplexer 410 is coupled to the pen tip antenna 420. Multiple inputs of the multiplexer 410 are coupled to the modulation circuit 122 to receive modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m. The multiplexer 410 outputs the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m to the pen tip antenna 420 in a time-division manner. The pen tip antenna 420 transmits the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m output by the multiplexer 410 as downlink signals DLs to the sensing panel 110.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the antenna section 123 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the antenna section 123 includes a multiplexer 510, a pen-tip antenna 520, and at least one loop antenna. The number of loop antennas can be determined according to the actual design and application. For example, Figure 5 The antenna section 123 shown includes n loop antennas 530_1, ..., 530_n, where n is an integer determined based on the actual design. Multiple outputs of the multiplexer 510 are coupled to the pen tip antenna 520 and the loop antennas 530_1 to 530_n, respectively. Multiple inputs of the multiplexer 510 are coupled to the modulation circuit 122 to receive modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m. The multiplexer 510 selectively outputs each of the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m to a corresponding antenna among the pen tip antenna 520 and the loop antennas 530_1 to 530_n. The pen tip antenna 520 and the loop antennas 530_1 to 530_n transmit the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m output by the multiplexer 510 as downlink signals DLs to the sensing panel 110.

[0048] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram illustrating the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the number m of modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m is assumed to be 4. To avoid interfering with the display driving operation of the sensing panel 110, the downlink slots are staggered from the display driving periods. Generally, each of the multiple discontinuous downlink slots is located between two adjacent corresponding display driving periods within a display frame of the sensing panel 110 (e.g., a touch display panel). Figure 6 For example, downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2 and DS6_3 are discontinuous. Downlink time slot DS6_2 is located between DD6_1 and DD6_2 in adjacent display driving periods, while downlink time slot DS6_3 is located between DD6_2 and DD6_3 in adjacent display driving periods.

[0049] Figure 6 This demonstrates an example of On / Off Keying (OOK) modulation. Assume a stylus frame contains N downlink time slots, and that the number of downlink frequencies (i.e., the number m of modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m) is m. Based on OOK, each stylus frame can transmit a total of (N*m*1) bits. For example, please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 6 Assume that the frequency divider 121 divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel 110 into four frequency channels: D_1, D_2, D_3, and D_4. The modulation circuit 122 performs OOK modulation on the corresponding carrier for each of the frequency channels D_1 to D_4 to generate modulated downlink signals Sm_1, Sm_2, Sm_3, and Sm_4 with different downlink frequencies for the antenna section 123. The modulation circuit 122 modulates frequency channel data D_1 onto the modulated downlink signal Sm_1, frequency channel data D_2 onto the modulated downlink signal Sm_2, frequency channel data D_3 onto the modulated downlink signal Sm_3, and frequency channel data D_4 onto the modulated downlink signal Sm_4.

[0050] The modulation circuit 122 modulates the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 into downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2, and DS6_3 based on the frequency channel data D_1 to D_4 and sends them to the antenna section 123. For example, the modulation circuit 122 modulates the first, second, and third parts (assuming they are bit values ​​"1", "0", and "1") of the frequency channel data D_1 into the downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2, and DS6_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_1, respectively. Similarly, the first, second, and third parts of frequency channel data D_2 (assumed to be bit values ​​"0", "1", and "0") are modulated into downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2, and DS6_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_2, respectively. The first, second, and third parts of frequency channel data D_3 (assumed to be bit values ​​"0", "0", and "1") are modulated into downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2, and DS6_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_3, respectively. And the first, second, and third parts of frequency channel data D_4 (assumed to be bit values ​​"1", "0", and "1") are modulated into downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2, and DS6_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_4, respectively.

[0051] In some applications, all bits of the same symbol in the transmitted data are assigned to the same frequency channel, while the modulation circuit 122 carries these bits of the symbol in different downlink time slots of the same modulated downlink signal. For example, suppose the transmitted data includes a first symbol, a second symbol, a third symbol, and a fourth symbol. The modulation circuit 122 loads the three bits "1", "0" and "1" of the first symbol into the downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2 and DS6_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_1, respectively; loads the three bits "0", "1" and "0" of the second symbol into the downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2 and DS6_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_2, respectively; loads the three bits "0", "0" and "1" of the third symbol into the downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2 and DS6_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_3, respectively; and loads the three bits "1", "0" and "1" of the fourth symbol into the downlink time slots DS6_1, DS6_2 and DS6_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_4, respectively.

[0052] In other application scenarios, multiple bits of the same symbol in the transmitted data are assigned to different frequency channels, and the modulation circuit 122 carries these bits of the same symbol in different modulated downlink signals within the same downlink time slot. For example, suppose the transmitted data includes a first symbol, a second symbol, and a third symbol. The modulation circuit 122 carries the bits "1", "0", "0", and "1" of the first symbol in the same downlink time slot DS6_1 of different modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, respectively; carries the bits "0", "1", "0", and "0" of the second symbol in the same downlink time slot DS6_2 of different modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, respectively; and carries the bits "1", "0", "1", and "1" of the third symbol in the same downlink time slot DS6_3 of different modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4.

[0053] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the number m of modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m is assumed to be 4. Figure 7 The modulated downlink signals Sm_1~Sm_4, downlink time slots DS7_1~DS7_3, and display driving periods DD7_1~DD7_3 shown can be referenced. Figure 6 The related explanations of the modulated downlink signals Sm_1~Sm_4, downlink time slots DS6_1~DS6_3, and display driving periods DD6_1~DD6_3 are shown and can be extrapolated, so they will not be repeated here.

[0054] Figure 7 This demonstrates an example of Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) modulation. Assume a stylus frame contains N downlink time slots, and that the number of downlink frequencies (i.e., the number m of modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m) is m, and that ASK can modulate 2^B signal amplitudes. Based on ASK, each stylus frame can transmit a total of (N*m*B) bits. For example, please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 7 Assume that the frequency divider 121 divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel 110 into four frequency channels: D_1, D_2, D_3, and D_4. The modulation circuit 122 performs ASK modulation on the corresponding carrier for each of the frequency channels D_1 to D_4 to generate modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 with different downlink frequencies for the antenna section 123. Figure 7In the illustrated embodiment, the amplitude order of the ASK modulation is assumed to be 4, where the first amplitude (minimum amplitude, for example, 0) is assumed to represent the bit value "00", the second amplitude (greater than the first amplitude) is assumed to represent the bit value "01", the third amplitude (greater than the second amplitude) is assumed to represent the bit value "10", and the fourth amplitude (greater than the third amplitude) is assumed to represent the bit value "11".

[0055] The modulation circuit 122 modulates the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 to the antenna section 123 based on downlink time slots DS7_1, DS7_2, and DS7_3. For example, the modulation circuit 122 modulates the first, second, and third parts (assuming they are bit values ​​"01", "00", and "10") of the frequency channel data D_1 into the downlink time slots DS7_1, DS7_2, and DS7_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_1, respectively. Similarly, the first, second, and third parts of frequency channel data D_2 (assumed to be bit values ​​"00", "10", and "00") are modulated into downlink time slots DS7_1, DS7_2, and DS7_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_2, respectively. The first, second, and third parts of frequency channel data D_3 (assumed to be bit values ​​"00", "00", and "11") are modulated into downlink time slots DS7_1, DS7_2, and DS7_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_3, respectively. And the first, second, and third parts of frequency channel data D_4 (assumed to be bit values ​​"11", "00", and "01") are modulated into downlink time slots DS7_1, DS7_2, and DS7_3 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_4, respectively.

[0056] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the number m of modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m is assumed to be 4. Figure 8 The modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 shown can be referenced. Figure 6 The following is a description of the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, and by analogy, Figure 8 The downlink time slot DS8 shown can be referenced. Figure 6 The relevant explanations for any one of the downlink time slots DS6_1 to DS6_3 shown are provided and can be extrapolated from here, so they will not be repeated here.

[0057] Figure 8This demonstrates an example where each downlink time slot comprises multiple consecutive sub-time slots. Assume a stylus frame contains N downlink time slots, and that each downlink time slot is divided into M sub-time slots. Also assume the number of downlink frequencies (i.e., the number m of modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m) is m. Based on OOK, each stylus frame can transmit a total of (m*N*M*1) bits.

[0058] For example, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 8 Assuming the frequency divider 121 divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel 110 into four frequency channel data D_1, D_2, D_3, and D_4, and the downlink time slot DS8 includes consecutive sub-time slots DS8_1, DS8_2, DS8_3, and DS8_4, the modulation circuit 122 performs OOK modulation based on the frequency channel data D_1 to D_4 to modulate the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 in the sub-time slots DS8_1 to DS8_4 of the downlink time slot DS8 to the antenna section 123. The modulation circuit 122 modulates the first, second, third, and fourth parts (assumed to be bit values ​​"1", "0", "0", and "1") of the frequency channel data D_1 into the sub-time slots DS8_1 to DS8_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_1, respectively. Figure 8 As shown. Similarly, the first, second, third, and fourth parts of frequency channel data D_2 (assumed to be bit values ​​"0", "1", "1", and "0") are modulated into sub-time slots DS8_1 to DS8_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_2, respectively. The first, second, third, and fourth parts of frequency channel data D_3 (assumed to be bit values ​​"1", "1", "0", and "1") are modulated into sub-time slots DS8_1 to DS8_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_3, respectively. And the first, second, third, and fourth parts of frequency channel data D_4 (assumed to be bit values ​​"0", "1", "0", and "1") are modulated into sub-time slots DS8_1 to DS8_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_4, respectively.

[0059] In some embodiments, the sensing panel 110 can detect modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m in sub-time slots DS8_1 to DS8_4 for coordinate positioning. For example (but not limited to), the sensing panel 110 can detect modulated downlink signal Sm_1 in sub-time slot DS8_1, modulated downlink signal Sm_3 in sub-time slot DS8_2, modulated downlink signal Sm_2 in sub-time slot DS8_3, and modulated downlink signal Sm_4 in sub-time slot DS8_4 to position the coordinates of the stylus 120. In other embodiments, the antenna section 123 can mix the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m to generate downlink signals DLs for the sensing panel 110. Based on this, the sensing panel 110 can detect and use the mixed downlink signals DLs for coordinate positioning.

[0060] In some applications, all bits of the same symbol in the transmitted data are assigned to the same frequency channel, while the modulation circuit 122 carries these bits of the symbol in different sub-time slots of the same modulated downlink signal. For example, suppose the transmitted data includes a first symbol, a second symbol, a third symbol, and a fourth symbol. The modulation circuit 122 loads the three bits "1", "0", "0" and "1" of the first symbol into the sub-time slots DS8_1, DS8_2, DS8_3 and DS8_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_1, respectively; loads the three bits "0", "1", "1" and "0" of the second symbol into the sub-time slots DS8_1 to DS8_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_2, respectively; loads the three bits "1", "1", "0" and "1" of the third symbol into the sub-time slots DS8_1 to DS8_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_3, respectively; and loads the three bits "0", "1", "0" and "1" of the fourth symbol into the sub-time slots DS8_1 to DS8_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_4, respectively.

[0061] In other application scenarios, multiple bits of the same symbol in the transmitted data are assigned to different frequency channels, and the modulation circuit 122 carries these bits of the same symbol in different modulated downlink signals within the same sub-time slot. For example, suppose the transmitted data includes a first symbol, a second symbol, a third symbol, and a fourth symbol. The modulation circuit 122 stores the bits "1", "0", "1" and "0" of the first symbol in the same sub-time slot DS8_1 of different modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, respectively; stores the bits "0", "1", "1" and "1" of the second symbol in the same sub-time slot DS8_2 of different modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, respectively; stores the bits "0", "1", "0" and "0" of the third symbol in the same sub-time slot DS8_3 of different modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, respectively; and stores the bits "1", "0", "1" and "1" of the fourth symbol in the same sub-time slot DS8_4 of different modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, respectively.

[0062] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 9 In the embodiment shown, the number m of modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m is assumed to be 4. Figure 9 The modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 shown can be referenced. Figure 6 The following is a description of the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, and by analogy, Figure 9 The downlink time slot DS9 shown can be referenced. Figure 7 The relevant explanations of any one of the downlink time slots DS7_1 to DS7_3 shown are provided and can be deduced by analogy, so they will not be repeated here. Figure 9 This demonstrates an example where each downlink time slot comprises multiple consecutive sub-time slots. Assume a stylus frame contains N downlink time slots, and that each downlink time slot is divided into M sub-time slots. Furthermore, assume the number of downlink frequencies (i.e., the number m of modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m) is m, and that ASK can modulate 2^B different signal amplitudes. Based on ASK, each stylus frame can transmit a total of (m*N*M*B) bits.

[0063] For example, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 9Assuming the frequency divider 121 divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel 110 into four frequency channel data D_1, D_2, D_3, and D_4, and the downlink time slot DS9 includes consecutive sub-time slots DS9_1, DS9_2, DS9_3, and DS9_4, the modulation circuit 122 performs ASK modulation based on the frequency channel data D_1 to D_4 to modulate the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 in the sub-time slots DS9_1 to DS9_4 of the downlink time slot DS9 and transmits them to the antenna section 123. The modulation circuit 122 modulates the first, second, third, and fourth parts (assumed to be bit values ​​"01", "00", "00", and "11") of the frequency channel data D_1 into the sub-time slots DS9_1 to DS9_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_1, respectively. Figure 9 As shown. Similarly, the first, second, third, and fourth parts of frequency channel data D_2 (assumed to be bit values ​​"00", "11", "10", and "00") are modulated into sub-time slots DS9_1 to DS9_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_2, respectively. The first, second, third, and fourth parts of frequency channel data D_3 (assumed to be bit values ​​"01", "11", "00", and "10") are modulated into sub-time slots DS9_1 to DS9_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_3, respectively. And the first, second, third, and fourth parts of frequency channel data D_4 (assumed to be bit values ​​"00", "01", "00", and "11") are modulated into sub-time slots DS9_1 to DS9_4 of the modulated downlink signal Sm_4, respectively.

[0064] In some embodiments, the sensing panel 110 can detect modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m in sub-time slots DS9_1 to DS9_4 for coordinate positioning. For example (but not limited to), the sensing panel 110 can detect modulated downlink signal Sm_1 in sub-time slot DS9_1, modulated downlink signal Sm_3 in sub-time slot DS9_2, modulated downlink signal Sm_2 in sub-time slot DS9_3, and modulated downlink signal Sm_4 in sub-time slot DS9_4 to position the coordinates of the stylus 120. In other embodiments, the antenna section 123 can mix the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m to generate downlink signals DLs for the sensing panel 110. Based on this, the sensing panel 110 can detect and use the mixed downlink signals DLs for coordinate positioning.

[0065] At least one of the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_m is used as a positioning signal for the sensing panel 110. For example, Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 10 The modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, downlink time slot DS10, and sub-time slots DS10_1, DS10_2, DS10_3, and DS10_4 shown can be referenced. Figure 8 The related explanations of the modulated downlink signals Sm_1~Sm_4, downlink time slot DS8, and sub-time slots DS8_1~DS8_4, as shown below, and by analogy, will not be repeated here. Figure 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the stylus 120 utilizes a specific frequency signal (e.g., Figure 10 The modulated downlink signal Sm_4 is used to perform coordinate positioning on the sensing panel 110.

[0066] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 11 The modulated downlink signals Sm_1 to Sm_4, downlink time slot DS11, and sub-time slots DS11_1, DS11_2, DS11_3, and DS11_4 shown can be referenced. Figure 9 The related explanations of the modulated downlink signals Sm_1~Sm_4, downlink time slot DS9, and sub-time slots DS9_1~DS9_4, as shown below, and by analogy, will not be repeated here. Figure 11 In the illustrated embodiment, the stylus 120 utilizes a specific frequency signal with amplitude variations (e.g., Figure 11 The modulated downlink signal Sm_4 is used to perform coordinate positioning on the sensing panel 110.

[0067] In summary, the stylus 120 utilizes the frequency band, amplitude, and time interval of the downlink signals DLs to encode / modulate the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel 110, thereby increasing the transmission volume. In some embodiments, the downlink signals DLs can be used simultaneously for active pen data transmission and coordinate positioning. The frequency band, amplitude, and number of time intervals of the downlink signals DLs can be determined according to product application planning, thus the stylus 120 is scalable. The antenna position of the stylus 120 is not limited to the tip or ring-shaped radiating position. The downlink signals DLs of the stylus 120 with different downlink frequencies are not limited to a fully mixed configuration. In some embodiments, the stylus 120 can transmit downlink signals DLs using partial mixing or multiple sets of single-band signals.

[0068] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A stylus, characterized in that, The stylus includes: Antenna section; A frequency divider divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel into multiple frequency channels, each corresponding to a different downlink frequency; and A modulation circuit, coupled to the frequency distributor and the antenna section, wherein the modulation circuit demodulates a corresponding carrier with a different downlink frequency based on each of the multiple frequency channel data to generate multiple modulated downlink signals with different downlink frequencies to the antenna section, and the antenna section transmits the multiple modulated downlink signals to the sensing panel.

2. The stylus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The modulation circuit performs on / off keying modulation on a corresponding carrier of the plurality of frequency channels based on each of the plurality of frequency channel data to generate the plurality of modulated downlink signals with different downlink frequencies to the antenna section.

3. The stylus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The modulation circuit performs amplitude shift keying modulation on a corresponding carrier of the plurality of carriers based on each of the plurality of frequency channel data to generate the plurality of modulated downlink signals with different downlink frequencies to the antenna section.

4. The stylus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing panel is a touch display panel, each of at least one discontinuous downlink time slots is located between two adjacent corresponding display driving periods during the display frame of the touch display panel, and the modulation circuit modulates the plurality of modulated downlink signals to the antenna section based on the plurality of frequency channel data in the at least one downlink time slot.

5. The stylus according to claim 4, characterized in that, All bits of a symbol in the transmitted data are assigned to the same counterpart in the plurality of frequency channel data, and the modulation circuit carries the bits of the symbol to the same counterpart in the plurality of modulated downlink signals in the at least one downlink time slot.

6. The stylus according to claim 4, characterized in that, Multiple bits of a symbol in the transmitted data are assigned to different ones in the multiple frequency channel data, and the modulation circuit carries the bits of the symbol in different ones in the multiple modulated downlink signals within the same downlink time slot at least once.

7. The stylus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The at least one downlink time slot includes a first downlink time slot, the plurality of modulated downlink signals include a first downlink signal, the plurality of frequency channel data packets include first frequency channel data, and the modulation circuit modulates a first portion of the first frequency channel data onto the first downlink time slot of the first downlink signal.

8. The stylus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The at least one downlink time slot further includes a second downlink time slot and a third downlink time slot, and the modulation circuit modulates the second part and the third part of the first frequency channel data onto the second downlink time slot and the third downlink time slot of the first downlink signal, respectively.

9. The stylus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of modulated downlink signals include a first downlink signal and a second downlink signal with different downlink frequencies, the plurality of frequency channel data includes first frequency channel data and second frequency channel data corresponding to different downlink frequencies, the modulation circuit modulates the first frequency channel data onto the first downlink signal, and the modulation circuit modulates the second frequency channel data onto the second downlink signal.

10. The stylus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The plurality of modulated downlink signals further include a third downlink signal and a fourth downlink signal with different downlink frequencies, and the plurality of frequency channel data further includes third frequency channel data and fourth frequency channel data corresponding to different downlink frequencies. The modulation circuit modulates the third frequency channel data onto the third downlink signal, and the modulation circuit modulates the fourth frequency channel data onto the fourth downlink signal.

11. The stylus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing panel is a touch display panel. Each of the multiple discontinuous downlink time slots is located between two adjacent corresponding display driving periods during the display frame of the touch display panel. Each of the multiple downlink time slots includes multiple sub-time slots that are consecutive to each other. The modulation circuit modulates the multiple modulated downlink signals to the antenna section based on the multiple frequency channel data in the multiple sub-time slots of the multiple downlink time slots.

12. The stylus according to claim 11, characterized in that, All bits of a symbol in the transmitted data are assigned to the same counterpart in the plurality of frequency channel data, and the modulation circuit carries the bits of the symbol in the plurality of sub-time slots of the same counterpart in the plurality of modulated downlink signals.

13. The stylus according to claim 11, characterized in that, Multiple bits of a symbol in the transmitted data are assigned to different ones in the multiple frequency channel data, and the modulation circuit carries the bits of the symbol in different ones in the multiple modulated downlink signals within the same time slot of the multiple sub-time slots.

14. The stylus according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the plurality of modulated downlink signals is used as a positioning signal for the sensing panel.

15. The stylus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna section includes: Pen tip antenna; and A multiplexer has an output coupled to the pen tip antenna, wherein multiple inputs of the multiplexer are coupled to the modulation circuit to receive the multiple modulated downlink signals, the multiplexer outputs the multiple modulated downlink signals to the pen tip antenna in a time-division manner, and the pen tip antenna transmits the multiple modulated downlink signals output by the multiplexer to the sensing panel.

16. The stylus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The antenna section includes: Pen tip antenna; At least one loop antenna; and A multiplexer has multiple outputs coupled to the pen tip antenna and the at least one loop antenna, wherein multiple inputs of the multiplexer are coupled to the modulation circuit to receive the multiple modulated downlink signals, the multiplexer selectively outputs each of the multiple modulated downlink signals to a corresponding antenna of the pen tip antenna and the at least one loop antenna, and the pen tip antenna and the at least one loop antenna transmit the multiple modulated downlink signals output by the multiplexer to the sensing panel.

17. A downlink transmission method for a stylus, characterized in that, The downlink transmission method includes: The frequency divider of the stylus divides the data to be transmitted to the sensing panel into multiple frequency channels, wherein the multiple frequency channels correspond to different downlink frequencies. The stylus's modulation circuitry modulates a corresponding carrier with a different downlink frequency based on each of the multiple frequency channel data to generate multiple modulated downlink signals with different downlink frequencies for the stylus's antenna section, wherein the modulation circuitry is coupled to the frequency divider and the antenna section; and The antenna section transmits the plurality of modulated downlink signals to the sensing panel.

18. The downlink transmission method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The downlink transmission method further includes: The modulation circuit performs on / off keying modulation on a corresponding carrier of the plurality of frequency channels based on each of the plurality of frequency channel data to generate the plurality of modulated downlink signals with different downlink frequencies to the antenna section.

19. The downlink transmission method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The downlink transmission method further includes: The modulation circuit performs amplitude shift keying modulation on a corresponding carrier of the plurality of carriers based on each of the plurality of frequency channel data to generate the plurality of modulated downlink signals with different downlink frequencies to the antenna section.

20. The downlink transmission method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The sensing panel is a touch display panel, and the downlink transmission method further includes: The modulation circuit modulates the plurality of modulated downlink signals to the antenna section based on the plurality of frequency channel data in a plurality of discontinuous downlink time slots, wherein each of the plurality of downlink time slots is located between two adjacent corresponding display driving periods during a display frame of the touch display panel.

21. The downlink transmission method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The downlink transmission method further includes: Allocate all bits of a symbol in the transmitted data to the same corresponding element in the plurality of frequency channel data; and The modulation circuit loads the bit of the symbol into the same corresponding one of the plurality of modulated downlink signals in the plurality of downlink time slots.

22. The downlink transmission method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The downlink transmission method further includes: Assigning multiple bits of a symbol in the transmitted data to different frequency channels; and The modulation circuit loads the bit of the symbol into different of the plurality of modulated downlink signals within the same downlink time slot.

23. The downlink transmission method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The sensing panel is a touch display panel, and each of the multiple discontinuous downlink time slots is located between two adjacent corresponding display driving periods during the display frame of the touch display panel. Each of the multiple downlink time slots includes multiple consecutive sub-time slots, and the downlink transmission method further includes: The modulation circuit modulates the plurality of modulated downlink signals to the antenna section based on the plurality of frequency channel data in the plurality of sub-time slots of the plurality of downlink time slots.

24. The downlink transmission method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The downlink transmission method further includes: Allocate all bits of a symbol in the transmitted data to the same corresponding element in the plurality of frequency channel data; and The modulation circuit loads the bit of the symbol into the multiple sub-time slots of the same corresponding one of the multiple modulated downlink signals.

25. The downlink transmission method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The downlink transmission method further includes: Assigning multiple bits of a symbol in the transmitted data to different frequency channels; and The modulation circuit loads the bit of the symbol into different of the plurality of modulated downlink signals within the same sub-time slot.

26. The downlink transmission method according to claim 17, characterized in that, At least one of the plurality of modulated downlink signals is used as a positioning signal for the sensing panel.

Images