TOUCH PANEL SURFACE CONTACT DETECTION METHOD AND SYSTEM

Abstract

Touch panel surface touch detection method for a touch control device, comprising: Procurement (S1) by means of a touch control setup of the touch control device of real-time user touch parameters of a user touch, wherein the user touch parameters include a duration of the user touch and touch area areas that are measured in real time at different moments during the user touch; Use, by means of the touch control device, the acquired real-time user touch parameters to query (S2) a pre-created database to obtain a user touch parameter range (S2) that corresponds to the acquired real-time user touch parameters; and Detect (S2), using the touch control device, an overall touch type of user touch based on the user touch parameter range, with the following steps: Detect (S201), by means of the touch control device, a first touch type of user touch based on the user touch parameter range corresponding to the touch duration, wherein the first touch type includes a long touch and a short touch, and wherein a touch duration corresponding to the long touch is greater than a touch duration corresponding to the short touch; Detect (S202), by means of the touch control device, a second type of user touch based on the user touch parameter range corresponding to the user touch area areas measured in real time at various moments during the user touch, wherein the second type of touch includes a soft touch and a hard touch, and wherein a touch pressure corresponding to a soft touch is less than a touch pressure corresponding to a hard touch; and Combine (S203), using the touch control device, the first touch type and second touch type to detect the overall touch type of the user touch wherein the pre-created database stores relationship data between pre-configured user touch types and user touch parameter ranges that correspond to the pre-configured user touch types; the user touch types include the first touch type and the second touch type; and different user touch parameter ranges correspond to different pre-configured touch types.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to touch control technologies and, more particularly, to a touch panel surface touch detection method and system. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the advancement of modern electronic technologies, a pressure sensing function is being integrated into an increasing number of touch control devices. A conventional touch control device often includes a deformation sensing module within the touch control device to detect the amount of deformation when a user presses forcefully on the surface of the touch control device. In this way, strong pressure sensing is achieved.

[0003] However, deformation sensing modules are often expensive. Accordingly, the touch control devices incorporating such deformation sensing modules are also expensive. The disclosed touch panel surface touch detection method and associated system aim to solve one or more problems in this technical field.

[0004] US 8 436 828 B1 discloses a method for activating a virtual button in which, among other things, surface areas are recorded and compared with stored values. BRIEF SUMMARY OF REVELATION

[0005] Aiming to solve one or more of the above-mentioned problems as well as other problems in the technical field, the present disclosure provides a method for touch panel surface touch detection according to claim 1 and a system for touch panel surface touch detection according to claim 5.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure includes a touch panel surface touch detection method for a touch control device. The method includes: acquiring real-time user touch parameters of a user touch; using the acquired real-time user touch parameters to query a pre-created database to obtain a user touch parameter range corresponding to the acquired real-time user touch parameters; and recognizing an overall touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range. The pre-created database stores relationship data between pre-configured user touch types and user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the pre-configured user touch types; and different user touch parameter ranges correspond to different pre-configured touch types.

[0007] Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a touch panel surface touch detection system for a touch control device. The touch detection system includes an acquisition module and a detection module. The acquisition module is configured to acquire real-time user touch parameters of a user touch. The detection module is configured to use the acquired real-time user touch parameters to query a pre-created database and obtain a user touch parameter range corresponding to the acquired real-time user touch parameters; and to detect an overall touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range.The pre-created database stores relationship data between preconfigured user touch types and user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types; and different user touch parameter ranges correspond to different preconfigured touch types.

[0008] Other aspects of the present disclosure may be understood by those skilled in the art from the description, claims, and drawings of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following drawings are merely examples for illustrative purposes according to various disclosed embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. - Fig.1 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a self-capacitive touch control structure using an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a self-capacitive touch control electrode assembly used in an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 4 illustrates an expanded flowchart for one or more particular steps in an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig.5 illustrates an expanded flowchart for one or more particular steps in another exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart for creating a database to store relationship data in an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection system according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a detection module in an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection system according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig.9 illustrates a schematic view of another exemplary touch panel surface touch detection system according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 10 illustrates a schematic view of a device module in an exemplary touch panel surface touch sensing system according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 11 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary touch panel used in various touch panel surface touch detection methods according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 12 illustrates a schematic view of touch surface area changes of exemplary soft and forceful touches; - Fig. 13 illustrates a schematic view of touch pad area changes from exemplary forceful swipe touches; - Fig.14 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the disclosed embodiments; - Fig. 15 illustrates a schematic view of touch surface area changes of exemplary touches; - Fig. 16 is a schematic view of an exemplary device for creating a relationship database between touch surface area changes and touch pressure values; and - Fig. 17 illustrates a schematic view of another exemplary device for creating a relationship database between touch surface area changes and touch pressure values. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein are intended to illustrate and explain the present invention only, and not to limit it.

[0011] Fig. 1 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 1, the touch panel surface touch detection method includes the following steps.

[0012] Step S1: Obtain real-time user touch parameters.

[0013] In one embodiment, a touch control device may include a mutual capacitance-based touch control structure. The mutual capacitance-based touch control structure enables the touch control device to acquire real-time user touch parameters.

[0014] Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a mutual capacitance-based touch control device employing an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the present disclosure. With reference to Fig.2, the mutual capacitance-based touch control device may include a plurality of drive electrodes 10, a plurality of sense electrodes 20 intersecting with the plurality of drive electrodes 10, a drive circuit 30 that supplies drive signals to the drive electrodes 10, and a sense circuit 40 that processes sense signals from the sense electrodes 20.

[0015] Specifically, the drive circuit 30 can supply the drive signals to the drive electrodes 10 at regular intervals. When a surface of the touch control device is touched by the user, the sensing signal transmitted from the sensing electrode 20 located near the touch position can be influenced by the user's touch. Based on the sensing signal transmitted from the sensing electrode 20 located near the touch position, the sensing circuit 40 can detect whether and where the user touch occurs.

[0016] In another embodiment, the touch control device may include a self-capacitive touch control structure. Using the self-capacitive touch control structure, the touch control device is capable of acquiring real-time user touch parameters.

[0017] Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a self-capacitive touch control electrode assembly using an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 3, the self-capacitive touch control structure may include a plurality of self-capacitive touch control electrodes 50 arranged in a matrix. The touch control device may detect user touches on the surface of the touch control device based on the signal changes of the self-capacitive touch control electrodes 50.

[0018] The present disclosure does not impose any limitation on the touch control structure used in the touch control device. In certain embodiments, the touch control device may obtain the real-time user touch parameters through other types of touch control structures, as long as such touch control structures are capable of obtaining the real-time user touch parameters by sensing the touch control signals on the surface of the touch control device.

[0019] With further reference to Fig.1, the touch parameters may be provided to determine the type of touch induced by the user on the surface of the touch panel. The user touch types may include a first touch type and a second touch type. The first touch type may include a long touch or hold, and a short touch or tap, i.e., a touch type based on the duration of the touch. The long touch may last longer than the short touch. The second touch type may include a soft touch and a forceful touch, i.e., a touch type based on the pressure or force of the touch. The soft touch may involve a touch pressure that is less than the forceful touch.

[0020] In one embodiment, the user touch parameters may include a user touch duration and a plurality of user touch area areas measured at different moments or times during the user touch. The plurality of measurement moments within the user touch duration may be preconfigured or randomly selected. The plurality of measurement moments may be evenly distributed throughout the touch duration or distributed in other convenient patterns.

[0021] Step S2: Using the acquired real-time user touch parameters, query a pre-created database, obtain a parameter range corresponding to the acquired real-time user touch parameters, and recognize a touch type based on the user touch parameter range. The pre-created database may store the relationship data between the pre-configured touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the pre-configured touch types. Different user touch parameter ranges may correspond to different pre-configured touch types.

[0022] Fig. 4 illustrates an expanded flowchart for the second step in an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the present disclosure. With reference to Fig.4, in one embodiment, the procedure for detecting the user touch type based on the real-time user touch parameter ranges may include the following steps.

[0023] Step S201: Detecting a first touch type based on the bandwidth corresponding to the acquired real-time user touch duration.

[0024] Specifically, in one embodiment, the user touch for the first touch type may be detected as a long touch if the acquired real-time user touch duration is within the bandwidth of the touch duration range corresponding to the long touch. If the acquired real-time user touch duration is within the bandwidth of the touch duration range corresponding to the short touch, the user touch for the first touch type may be detected as a short touch.

[0025] Step S202: Detecting a second touch type based on the bandwidths corresponding to the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch.

[0026] In certain other embodiments, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a forceful touch if the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch are within the user touch area range corresponding to the forceful touch. If the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch are within the user touch area range corresponding to the soft touch, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a soft touch.

[0027] Step S203: Combining the first touch type and second touch type to detect an overall touch type.

[0028] Next, the first touch type and second touch type can be combined to detect a long soft touch, a short soft touch, a long strong touch, or a short strong touch as the overall touch type.

[0029] Furthermore, the user touch for the second touch type can be detected as a forceful touch if the real-time user touch area measured at different times during the user touch is within the bandwidth of the user touch area corresponding to the forceful touch. If the real-time user touch area measured at at least one time during the user touch is within the bandwidth of the user touch area corresponding to the forceful touch, the user touch for the second touch type can be detected as a forceful touch.

[0030] In certain other embodiments, in addition to comparing the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch with the bandwidth of the user touch area corresponding to the forceful touch, a trend of the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch may be used to detect the second touch type. For example, if the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch gradually increase over time and the maximum real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch is within the bandwidth of the user touch area corresponding to the forceful touch, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a forceful touch.Otherwise, the user touch can be detected as a soft touch for the second touch type. Optionally, the measurement moments during the user touch can include the median of the user touch duration. In real product designs, the measurement moments during the user touch may or may not include the median of the user touch duration.

[0031] In another embodiment, the user touch parameters may also include a touch pad area change rate. Fig. 5 illustrates an expanded flowchart for the second step in another exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 5, in one embodiment, the procedure for detecting the user touch type based on the real-time user touch parameter ranges may include the following steps.

[0032] Step S204: Detecting a first touch type based on the bandwidth corresponding to the acquired real-time user touch duration.

[0033] Specifically, in one embodiment, if the acquired real-time user touch duration is within the bandwidth of the touch duration range corresponding to the long touch, the user touch for the first touch type may be detected as a long touch. If the acquired real-time user touch duration is within the bandwidth of the touch duration range corresponding to the short touch, the user touch for the first touch type may be detected as a short touch.

[0034] Step S205: Based on the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch, obtaining change rates of the real-time user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch.

[0035] Step S206: Detecting a second touch type based on the bandwidths corresponding to the rates of change of the real-time user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch.

[0036] In one embodiment, a portion of time elapsed between any two temporally adjacent touch area measurement moments may be referred to as a touch interval. Specifically, if at least one of the rates of change of the real-time user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch is within a first preconfigured bandwidth, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a forceful touch. If all rates of change of the real-time user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch are within a second preconfigured bandwidth, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a soft touch.

[0037] Step S207: Combining the first touch type and second touch type to detect an overall touch type.

[0038] Next, the first touch type and the second touch type can be combined to detect a long soft touch, a short soft touch, a long strong touch, or a short strong touch as the overall touch type.

[0039] Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the creation of a database for storing relationship data in an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the present invention. Referring to Fig. 6, the procedure for creating a database to store relationship data may include the following steps.

[0040] Step S3: Prompt the user to perform touch operations on the touch control device at least once for each preconfigured touch type.

[0041] Specifically, in one embodiment, the user may be prompted to perform the touch operations such as a long touch, short touch, soft touch, and forceful touch on the touch control device at least once.

[0042] Step S4: Obtaining the user touch parameters from the touch operations performed by the user at least once for each preconfigured touch type to obtain the touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types.

[0043] The user touch parameters of the touch operations performed by the user at least once for the long touch, short touch, soft touch, and strong touch can be obtained to calculate the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the long touch, short touch, soft touch, and strong touch.

[0044] Step S5: Based on the records of the preconfigured touch types and the corresponding user touch parameter ranges, create a database to store the preconfigured touch types, the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types, and the relationship data between the preconfigured touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types.

[0045] Based on the relationship data between the long touch and the user touch parameter range corresponding to the long touch, the short touch and the user touch parameter range corresponding to the short touch, the soft touch and the user touch parameter range corresponding to the soft touch, and the strong touch and the user touch parameter range corresponding to the strong touch, a database can be created.The database may store the relationship data between the preconfigured touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types, which include relationship data between the long touch and the user touch parameter range corresponding to the long touch, the short touch and the user touch parameter range corresponding to the short touch, the soft touch and the user touch parameter range corresponding to the soft touch, and the strong touch and the user touch parameter range corresponding to the strong touch.

[0046] In one embodiment, the user may be prompted to perform the touch operations at least once for the preconfigured touch types on the touch control device. The user may be prompted to perform a touch operation once for a preconfigured touch type on the touch control device. Accordingly, the user touch parameters of the touch operation performed by the user at least once for the preconfigured touch type may be acquired to obtain a user touch parameter range corresponding to the preconfigured touch type. Thus, the relationship data between the preconfigured touch type and the user touch parameter range corresponds to the preconfigured touch type.

[0047] The preconfigured touch types may also include, for example, long touch, short touch, soft touch, and forceful touch. If a user touch duration corresponding to a long touch corresponds to T1 and a user touch duration corresponding to a short touch corresponds to T2, a user touch duration less than 2*T2 may correspond to a short touch, and a user touch duration greater than 0.5*T1 may correspond to a long touch. If 0.5*T1 and 2*T2 overlap, or if 0.5*T1 is simply less than or equal to 2*T2, the user touch duration may correspond to a long touch or a short touch.

[0048] Alternatively, the arithmetic mean of 0.5*T1 and 2*T2 may be referred to as the first median. A user touch duration greater than the first median may correspond to a long touch. A user touch duration less than the first median may correspond to a short touch. In certain other embodiments, other calculation methods may be used to distinguish between a long touch and a short touch.

[0049] Similarly, in another embodiment, a measured user touch area A1 may correspond to the soft touch, and a measured user touch area A2 may correspond to the forceful touch. If all user touch area areas measured at different moments during the user touch are between 0.8*A1 and 1.2*A1, or simply less than or equal to 1.2*A1, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch. If at least one of the user touch area areas measured at different moments during the user touch is between 0.8*A2 and 1.2*A2, the user touch may be detected as a forceful touch.

[0050] If 1.2*A1 and 0.8*A2 overlap, or if 1.2*A1 is greater than or equal to 0.8*A2, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch or a forceful touch according to the overlap area. Alternatively, the arithmetic mean of 1.2*A1 and 0.8*A2 may be referred to as the second median value. If at least one of the user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch is larger than the second median value, the user touch may correspond to the forceful touch. Otherwise, the user touch may correspond to the soft touch. In certain other embodiments, other calculation methods may be used to distinguish between a forceful touch and a soft touch.

[0051] In another embodiment, a rate of change V1 of the measured user touch area may correspond to a soft touch, and a rate of change V2 of the measured user touch area may correspond to a forceful touch. If the rates of change of the user touch area measured at multiple intervals during the user touch are between 0.8*V1 and 1.2*V1, or simply less than or equal to 1.2*V1, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch. If at least one of the rates of change of the user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch is between 0.8*V2 and 1.2*V2, the user touch may be detected as a forceful touch.

[0052] If 1.2*V1 and 0.8*V2 overlap, or 1.2*V1 is greater than or equal to 0.8*V2, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch or a forceful touch according to the overlap area. Alternatively, the arithmetic mean of 1.2*V1 and 0.8*V2 may be referred to as the third median value. If at least one of the rates of change of the user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch is greater than the third median value, the user touch may correspond to a forceful touch. Otherwise, the user touch may correspond to a soft touch. In certain other embodiments, other calculation methods may be used to distinguish between a forceful touch and a soft touch.

[0053] In another embodiment, a measured user touch area A1 may correspond to a soft touch, a rate of change V1 of the measured user touch area may correspond to a soft touch, a measured user touch area A2 may correspond to a forceful touch, and a rate of change V2 of the measured user touch area may correspond to a forceful touch. If all user touch areas measured at different moments during the user touch are between 0.8*A1 and 1.2*A1, or simply less than or equal to 1.2*A1, and the rates of change of the user touch area measured at multiple intervals during the user touch are between 0.8*V1 and 1.2*V1, or simply less than or equal to 1.2*V1, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch.If at least one of the user touch area measured at different times during the user touch is between 0.8*A2 and 1.2*A2, and at least one of the change rates of the user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch is between 0.8*V2 and 1.2*V2, the user touch can be detected as a forceful touch. A calculation method that considers more than one bandwidth can improve the detection accuracy.

[0054] In another embodiment, the method for prompting the user to perform touch operations at least once for each preconfigured touch type on the touch control device may include prompting the user to perform the touch operations multiple times for each preconfigured touch type on the touch control device.

[0055] Accordingly, the procedure for obtaining the user touch parameters from the touch operations performed by the user at least once for each preconfigured touch type to obtain the touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types may include obtaining the user touch parameters from each of the touch operations performed by the user multiple times for each preconfigured touch type to obtain the touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types.

[0056] From each of the touch operations performed by the user multiple times for each preconfigured touch type, averages and tolerances of the user touch parameters can be calculated. The calculated averages and tolerances can be used for the user touch parameter range corresponding to a particular preconfigured touch type. The procedures for calculating averages and tolerances are well known and will not be described here.

[0057] With the touch panel surface touch detection method according to the present disclosure, the need to incorporate a deformation sensing module into the touch control device can be eliminated. Instead, the user touch parameters can be acquired during the touch operations performed by the user. The measured user touch parameters can be used to query a pre-created database and detect the touch type of the touch operation performed by the user. Thus, the touch detection cost and also the cost of the touch control device can be reduced.

[0058] Accordingly, the present invention also provides a touch detection system for touch control devices. The touch detection system may incorporate any touch detection method consistent with the disclosed embodiments.

[0059] Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection system according to the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 7, the touch detection system may include an acquisition module 100 for acquiring real-time user touch parameters and a recognition module 200 for using the acquired real-time user touch parameters to query a pre-created database to obtain a parameter range corresponding to the acquired real-time user touch parameters and to recognize a touch type based on the user touch parameter range.

[0060] Specifically, the database can store the relationship data between the preconfigured touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types. Different user touch parameter ranges can correspond to different preconfigured touch types.

[0061] In one embodiment, the touch control device may include a mutual capacitance-based touch control structure. The touch control device is capable of acquiring the real-time user touch parameters using the mutual capacitance-based touch control structure. The mutual capacitance-based touch control structure may include a plurality of drive electrodes, a plurality of sense electrodes intersecting with the plurality of drive electrodes, a driver circuit that provides drive signals to the drive electrodes, and a sensing circuit that receives and processes sense signals from the sense electrodes.

[0062] In particular, the driver circuit may supply the sensing signals to the drive electrodes at regular intervals. When the surface of the touch control device is touched by the user, the sensing signals from the sensing electrodes may change. The sensing signals received from the sensing electrodes by the sensing circuit may be processed to detect whether the surface of the touch control device is being touched by a user.

[0063] In another embodiment, the touch control device may include a self-capacitive touch control structure. The touch control device may acquire the real-time user touch parameters through the self-capacitive touch control structure. The self-capacitive touch control structure may include a plurality of self-capacitive touch control electrodes arranged in a matrix. The detected signal changes that occurred near the self-capacitive touch control electrodes touched by the user may be used to detect the user touch on the surface of the touch control device. The real-time user touch parameters may be acquired.

[0064] In certain other embodiments, the touch control device may include other touch control structures to obtain the real-time user touch parameters, as long as the sensing signal changes at the surface of the touch control device can be processed to obtain the real-time user touch parameters.

[0065] In one embodiment, the touch types may include a first touch type and a second touch type. The first touch type may include a long touch and a short touch. The touch duration corresponding to the long touch may be greater than the touch duration corresponding to the short touch. The second touch type may include a soft touch and a forceful touch. The touch pressure corresponding to the soft touch may be less than the touch pressure corresponding to the forceful touch.

[0066] In one embodiment, the user touch parameters may include a user touch duration and a plurality of touch surface areas measured at different moments during the user touch. The measurement moments during the user touch may be preconfigured or randomly selected in the sequence. Optionally, the plurality of measurement moments may be evenly distributed over the user touch duration. Other distributions may also be used.

[0067] Fig. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a detection module in an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection system according to the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the detection module 200 may include a determination unit 201, a first detection unit 202, a second detection unit 203, and a third detection unit 204.

[0068] The determination unit 201 can be used to query the pre-created database of the user touch parameters acquired in real time to obtain a bandwidth corresponding to the user touch parameters. The first detection unit 202 can be used to detect a first touch type based on the bandwidth corresponding to the user touch duration of the user touch parameters acquired in real time. The second detection unit 203 can be used to detect a second touch type based on the bandwidth of the touch area areas of the user touch parameters acquired in real time, where the bandwidth of the touch area areas corresponds to the touch area areas at different moments during real time. The third detection unit 204 can be used to detect an overall touch type by combining the first touch type and the second touch type.

[0069] Specifically, in one embodiment, if the acquired real-time user touch duration is within the bandwidth of the touch duration range corresponding to the long touch, the user touch for the first touch type may be detected as a long touch. If the acquired real-time user touch duration is within the bandwidth of the touch duration range corresponding to the short touch, the user touch for the first touch type may be detected as a short touch.

[0070] In certain other embodiments, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a forceful touch if the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch are within the user touch area range corresponding to the forceful touch. If the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch are within the user touch area range corresponding to the soft touch, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a soft touch.

[0071] Next, the first touch type and second touch type can be combined to detect a long soft touch, a short soft touch, a long strong touch, or a short strong touch as the overall touch type.

[0072] In certain embodiments, if multiple real-time user touch area measurements at different times during the user touch fall within the user touch area bandwidth corresponding to the forceful touch, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a forceful touch. If at least one of the real-time user touch area measurements at different times during the user touch fall within the user touch area bandwidth corresponding to the forceful touch, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a forceful touch.

[0073] In certain other embodiments, in addition to comparing the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch with the bandwidth of the user touch area corresponding to the forceful touch, a trend of the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch may be used to detect the second touch type. For example, if the real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch gradually increase over time and the maximum real-time user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch is within the bandwidth of the user touch area corresponding to the forceful touch, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a forceful touch.Otherwise, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch for the second touch type.

[0074] In another embodiment, the detection module 200 may include a determination unit 201, a first detection unit 202, a second detection unit 203, and a third detection unit 204.

[0075] The determination unit 201 can be used to query the pre-created database of the user touch parameters acquired in real time to obtain a bandwidth corresponding to the user touch parameters. The first detection unit 202 can be used to detect a first touch type based on the bandwidth corresponding to the user touch duration of the user touch parameters acquired in real time. The second detection unit 203 can be used to obtain change rates of the touch surface area at different touch intervals during the user touch based on the touch surface areas acquired in real time at different moments during the user touch, and to detect a second touch type based on the bandwidth corresponding to the change rates of the touch surface area at different touch intervals during the user touch.The third detection unit 204 may be used to detect an overall touch type by combining the first touch type and the second touch type.

[0076] In one embodiment, a portion of time elapsed between any two temporally adjacent touch area measurement moments may be referred to as a touch interval. Specifically, if at least one of the rates of change of the real-time user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch is within a first preconfigured bandwidth, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a forceful touch. If all rates of change of the real-time user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch are within a second preconfigured bandwidth, the user touch for the second touch type may be detected as a soft touch.

[0077] Fig.9 illustrates a schematic view of another exemplary touch panel surface touch detection system according to the present disclosure. With reference to Fig. 9, in one embodiment, the touch detector may further include a setup module 300. The setup module 300 may be used to set up a pre-created database. The pre-created database may store the relationship data between the pre-configured touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the pre-configured touch types. Different user touch parameter ranges may correspond to different pre-configured touch types.

[0078] Fig. 10 illustrates a schematic view of a device module in an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection system according to the present disclosure. With reference to Fig.10, the setup module 300 may include a request unit 301, a statistics unit 302, and a setup unit 303.

[0079] The prompting unit 301 can be used to prompt the user to perform the touch operations at least once for each preconfigured touch type on the touch control device. The statistics unit 302 can be used to obtain the user touch parameters from the touch operations performed by the user at least once for each preconfigured touch type and to obtain the user touch parameter range corresponding to each preconfigured touch type. The setup unit 303 can be used to set up a database based on the preconfigured touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types, in order to store the relationship data between the preconfigured touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types.

[0080] Specifically, in certain embodiments, the prompting unit 301 may be used to prompt the user to perform the touch operations on the touch control device at least once each for the long touch, the short touch, the soft touch, and the forceful touch. The statistics unit 302 may be used to obtain the user touch parameters from the touch operations performed by the user at least once each for the long touch, the short touch, the soft touch, and the forceful touch to obtain the touch parameter ranges corresponding to the long touch, short touch, soft touch, and forceful touch, respectively.

[0081] The setup unit 303 can be used to create a database to store the long touch and the corresponding user touch parameter range, the short touch and the corresponding user touch parameter range, the soft touch and the corresponding user touch parameter range, and the forceful touch and the corresponding user touch parameter range. Specifically, the database can store the relationship data between the preconfigured touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types.In other words, the database may store the relationship data between the long touch and the corresponding user touch parameter range, the short touch and the corresponding user touch parameter range, the soft touch and the corresponding user touch parameter range, and the strong touch and the corresponding user touch parameter range.

[0082] In one embodiment, the prompting unit 301 may be used to prompt the user to perform the touch operations once for each preconfigured touch type on the touch control device. Accordingly, the statistics unit 302 may be used to obtain the user touch parameters from the touch operations performed by the user once for each preconfigured touch type to obtain the touch parameter range corresponding to each preconfigured touch type.

[0083] In addition, the preconfigured touch types can include, for example, long touch, short touch, soft touch, and forceful touch. If a user touch duration corresponding to a long touch is T1 and a user touch duration corresponding to a short touch is T2, a user touch duration less than 2*T2 can correspond to a short touch, and a user touch duration greater than 0.5*T1 can correspond to a long touch. If 0.5*T1 and 2*T2 overlap, or 0.5*T1 is simply less than or equal to 2*T2, the user touch duration can correspond to a long touch or a short touch.

[0084] Alternatively, the arithmetic mean of 0.5*T1 and 2*T2 may be referred to as the first median. A user touch duration greater than the first median may correspond to a long touch. A user touch duration less than the first median may correspond to a short touch. In certain other embodiments, other calculation methods may be used to distinguish between a long touch and a short touch.

[0085] Similarly, in another embodiment, a measured user touch area A1 may correspond to the soft touch, and a measured user touch area A2 may correspond to the forceful touch. If all user touch area areas measured at different moments during the user touch are between 0.8*A1 and 1.2*A1, or simply less than or equal to 1.2*A1, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch. If at least one of the user touch area areas measured at different moments during the user touch is between 0.8*A2 and 1.2*A2, the user touch may be detected as a forceful touch.

[0086] If 1.2*A1 and 0.8*A2 overlap, or if 1.2*A1 is greater than or equal to 0.8*A2, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch or a forceful touch according to the overlap area. Alternatively, the arithmetic mean of 1.2*A1 and 0.8*A2 may be referred to as the second median value. If at least one of the user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch is larger than the second median value, the user touch may correspond to the forceful touch. Otherwise, the user touch may correspond to the soft touch. In certain other embodiments, other calculation methods may be used to distinguish between a forceful touch and a soft touch.

[0087] In another embodiment, a rate of change V1 of the measured user touch area may correspond to a soft touch, and a rate of change V2 of the measured user touch area may correspond to a forceful touch. If the rates of change of the user touch area measured at multiple intervals during the user touch are between 0.8*V1 and 1.2*V1, or simply less than or equal to 1.2*V1, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch. If at least one of the rates of change of the user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch is between 0.8*V2 and 1.2*V2, the user touch may be detected as a forceful touch.

[0088] If 1.2*V1 and 0.8*V2 overlap, or 1.2*V1 is greater than or equal to 0.8*V2, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch or a forceful touch according to the overlap area. Alternatively, the arithmetic mean of 1.2*V1 and 0.8*V2 may be referred to as the third median value. If at least one of the rates of change of the user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch is greater than the third median value, the user touch may correspond to a forceful touch. Otherwise, the user touch may correspond to a soft touch. In certain other embodiments, other calculation methods may be used to distinguish between a forceful touch and a soft touch.

[0089] In another embodiment, a measured user touch area A1 may correspond to a soft touch, a rate of change V1 of the measured user touch area may correspond to a soft touch, a measured user touch area A2 may correspond to a forceful touch, and a rate of change V2 of the measured user touch area may correspond to a forceful touch. If all user touch areas measured at different moments during the user touch are between 0.8*A1 and 1.2*A1, or simply less than or equal to 1.2*A1, and the rates of change of the user touch area measured at multiple intervals during the user touch are between 0.8*V1 and 1.2*V1, or simply less than or equal to 1.2*V1, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch.If at least one of the user touch area measured at different times during the user touch is between 0.8*A2 and 1.2*A2, and at least one of the change rates of the user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch is between 0.8*V2 and 1.2*V2, the user touch can be detected as a forceful touch. A calculation method that considers more than one bandwidth can improve the detection accuracy.

[0090] In another embodiment, the prompting unit 301 may be used to prompt the user to perform touch operations on the touch control device multiple times for each preconfigured touch type. Accordingly, the statistics unit 302 may be used to obtain the user touch parameters from the touch operations performed by the user multiple times for each preconfigured touch type to obtain the touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured touch types.

[0091] From the touch operations performed by the user multiple times for each preconfigured touch type, the user touch parameters can be calculated to obtain the mean values ​​and tolerances. The calculated mean values ​​and tolerances can be used for the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to a particular preconfigured touch type. The procedures for calculating mean values ​​and tolerances are well known and will not be described here.

[0092] With the touch panel surface touch detection method according to the present disclosure, the need to incorporate a deformation sensing module into the touch control device can be eliminated. Instead, the user touch parameters can be obtained through touch operations performed by the user. The measured user touch parameters can be used to query a pre-created database and detect the touch type of the touch operation performed by the user. Consequently, the cost of touch detection and the cost of the touch control device can be reduced.

[0093] Fig. 11 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary touch panel used in various touch panel surface touch detection methods according to the present disclosure. With reference to Fig.11, the touch panel may include a touch control assembly, a display assembly, a controller, a memory, and an interface circuit. The controller, memory, and interface circuit may also be referred to as an integrated circuit module, or IC module, that controls the operation of the touch control assembly and the display assembly. Additionally, the IC module may also perform the operations of various touch panel surface touch sensing methods according to the disclosed embodiments. Other components may also be included.

[0094] The touch panel can be designed to implement the touch type detection methods and systems described above. In addition, other optional or alternative surface touch detection concepts can also be implemented as follows.

[0095] During operation, a user can touch the touch panel surface. The touch control assembly can capture corresponding touch control signals and transmit the touch control signals to the controller via the interface circuit. The controller can analyze the touch control signals to determine whether the touch control signals contain the characteristics of a forceful touch.

[0096] In addition to having greater touch pressure than a soft touch, a forceful touch may also last longer than a soft touch. A forceful touch may start with a small initial touch area and then reach a maximum contact area that is significantly larger than the initial touch area. A soft touch may reach a maximum contact area that is not significantly larger than the original touch area. A forceful touch may not move significantly from the initial touch area. A soft touch may move a significant amount from the original touch area.If the soft touch moves away from the initial touch area by a significant amount, such a soft touch may also be considered a swipe touch. Thus, if a user touch lasts longer than a certain temporal threshold, does not reach a maximum significantly larger than the initial touch area, and does not move away from the initial touch area by a significant amount, such a user touch may be recognized as a forceful touch.

[0097] If all three characteristics of a forceful touch are detected based on the touch control signals, the user touch can be recognized as a forceful touch. Otherwise, the user touch cannot be recognized as a forceful touch.

[0098] In one embodiment, a soft touch may last less than approximately 1 second, and a forceful touch may last at least approximately 0.5 seconds. Based on the user touch duration, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch or a forceful touch. If the user touch duration is between approximately 0.5 seconds and 1 second, the user touch may be detected as a soft touch or a forceful touch.

[0099] Fig. 12 illustrates a schematic view of touch surface area changes of exemplary soft and forceful touches. With reference to Fig.12 The touch area can change during the user touch. When a user touches a touch panel surface, they may touch the touch panel surface with a small initial touch area. Over the user touch duration, the touch area can increase with increasing touch pressure. The more pressure the user applies, the larger the touch area. As the user touch nears its end, the touch area can decrease and eventually decrease to zero. A forceful touch can start with a small initial touch area and reach a maximum touch area that is significantly larger than the initial touch area. A soft touch can reach a maximum touch area that is not significantly larger than the initial touch area.

[0100] Fig. 13 illustrates a schematic view of touch surface area changes of an exemplary force touch and a swipe touch. With reference to Fig.13, the touch area may move during the user touch. A forceful touch may not move a significant amount from the initial touch area, and the initial touch area may be entirely contained within the maximum touch area. A swipe touch may move a significant amount from the initial touch area, and the initial touch area may not be entirely within the maximum touch area. If a user touch moves a significant amount from the initial touch area, and the initial touch area is not entirely contained within the maximum touch area, such a user touch may be detected as a swipe touch instead of a forceful touch.

[0101] Fig.14 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary touch panel surface touch detection method according to the present disclosure. With reference to Fig.14, the touch detection method may begin by obtaining the user touch duration, the initial touch area and location, and the maximum touch area and location. The user touch duration may be compared to 0.5 seconds or another appropriate threshold. If the user touch duration is greater than approximately 0.5 seconds, the maximum touch area may be compared to N times the initial touch area, where N is a threshold such as an empirical number that can be obtained through a large number of trials. If the maximum touch area is greater than N times the initial touch area, the location of the initial touch area may be cross-checked with the maximum touch area.If the initial touch area is within the maximum touch area, the user touch can be recognized as a forceful touch. Otherwise, the user touch cannot be recognized as a forceful touch.

[0102] Fig. 15 illustrates a schematic view of touch surface area changes of exemplary touches. With reference to Fig.15, in the touch detection method according to the present disclosure, a ratio of the real-time measured touch surface area to the initial touch surface area can be calculated. The ratio can represent the touch strength, which can be used to detect a soft touch or a strong touch. In this case, the touch detection method can also calculate a swipe of the touch, i.e., the direction of the touch. When both the touch strength and direction are obtained, the touch detection method can be capable of simulating a drawing operation using a brushstroke-like touch.

[0103] By conducting a large number of tests, a database of relationships can be created between the ratios of the touch surface areas measured in real time and the initial touch surface areas, as well as the strengths of the touches. The following table can illustrate such an example. Initial contact area Real-time measured contact area Relationship Contact pressure (N) A0 A1 A1 / A0 N1 A0 A2 A2 / A0 N2 ... ... ... ... A0 To To / A0 Nn

[0104] In one embodiment, the database table can be stored in the IC module or other suitable memory. The IC module can query the database table to retrieve the touch pressures or strengths of the touches based on the ratio / force relationship. A ratio / force curve can also be created based on the database table to obtain continuous values ​​of touch pressures based on a real-time calculated area ratio.

[0105] Fig.16 is a schematic view of an exemplary device for creating a relationship database between contact surface area changes or ratios and contact pressure values. With reference to Fig. 16, the device can be used to perform a large number of trials to create a database of relationships between touch surface area changes and touch pressure values. The device may include an adjustable pressure application device 1101, a dummy finger 1201, a glass panel 1301, and a camera or video recorder 1401.

[0106] The adjustable pressure application device 1101 can be configured to apply a specific pressure to the dummy finger 1201. The dummy finger 1201 can press against the glass panel 1301. The camera 1401 can record the touch surface area occupied by the dummy finger 1201 on the glass panel 1301. The adjustable pressure application device 1101 can adjust and apply a different pressure to the dummy finger 1201. The camera 1401 can then again record the touch surface area occupied by the dummy finger 1201 on the glass panel 1301. The tests can be repeated to obtain a large number of touch pressures and corresponding touch surface areas. The test data can form the relationship database between touch surface area changes and touch pressure values.

[0107] Fig.17 illustrates a schematic view of another exemplary device for creating a relationship database between touch surface area changes and touch pressure values. With reference to Fig. 17, the device can be used to perform a large number of experiments to create a database of relationships between touch surface area changes and touch pressure values. The device may include a pressure sensing device 1102, a human finger 1202, a glass panel 1301, a camera or video recorder 1401, and a support frame 1302.

[0108] A specific pressure can be applied to the glass pane 1301 via the human finger 1202. The camera 1401 can record the touch area occupied by the human finger 1202 on the glass pane 1301. The pressure sensing device 1102 can record the touch pressure. A different pressure can then be applied to the glass pane 1301 via the human finger 1202. The camera 1401 can again record the touch area occupied by the human finger 1202 on the glass pane 1301. The pressure sensing device 1102 can again record the touch pressure. The tests can be repeated to obtain a large number of touch pressures and the corresponding touch area areas. The test data can be used to create a database of relationships between touch area changes and touch pressure values.

[0109] Various embodiments have been described to illustrate the principles of operation and exemplary implementations. The embodiments disclosed herein are merely exemplary. Other applications, advantages, changes, modifications, or equivalent solutions with respect to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] A touch panel surface touch detection method for a touch control device, comprising: Obtaining (S1), by means of a touch control structure of the touch control device, real-time user touch parameters of a user touch, the user touch parameters comprising a duration of the user touch and touch pad areas measured in real time at different moments during the user touch; Using, by means of the touch control device, the acquired real-time user touch parameters to query (S2) a pre-created database to obtain a user touch parameter range (S2) corresponding to the acquired real-time user touch parameters; and Detecting (S2), by means of the touch control device, an overall touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range, comprising the following steps: Detecting (S201), by means of the touch control device, a first touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range corresponding to the touch duration, wherein the first touch type includes a long touch and a short touch, and wherein a touch duration corresponding to the long touch is greater than a touch duration corresponding to the short touch; Detecting (S202), by means of the touch control device, a second touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range corresponding to the user touch area areas measured in real time at different moments during the user touch, wherein the second touch type includes a soft touch and a forceful touch, and wherein a touch pressure corresponding to the soft touch is smaller than a touch pressure corresponding to the forceful touch; and Combining (S203), by means of the touch control device, the first touch type and the second touch type to detect the overall touch type of the user touch wherein the pre-created database stores relationship data between preconfigured user touch types and user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types; the user touch types include the first touch type and the second touch type; and different user touch parameter ranges correspond to different preconfigured touch types. [2] The touch detection method according to claim 1, wherein the user touch parameters also include a rate of change of a user touch area, and detecting the user touch type based on the user touch parameter areas further comprises: Detecting (S204) the first touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range corresponding to the touch duration; Obtaining (S205) rates of change of user touch area measured in real time during the user touch at different touch intervals based on the user touch area measured in real time at different moments during the user touch; Detecting (S206) the second touch type based on bandwidths corresponding to the rates of change of the user touch; and Combining (S207) the first touch type and the second touch type to detect the overall touch type of the user touch. [3] The touch detection method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-created database is created by: prompting (S3) the user to perform touch operations on the touch control device at least once for each preconfigured user touch type; Obtaining (S4) the user touch parameters from the touch operations performed by the user at least once for each preconfigured touch type to obtain the touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types; and Creating (S5) a database for storing the preconfigured user touch types, the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types, and the relationship data between the preconfigured user touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types. [4] A touch detection method according to claim 3, wherein: prompting the user to perform touch operations on the touch control device at least once for each preconfigured user touch type, further comprising: Prompting the user to perform the touch operations multiple times for each preconfigured user touch type on the touch control device; and obtaining the user touch parameters from the touch operations performed by the user further includes: Obtaining the user touch parameters from each of the touch operations performed by the user multiple times for each preconfigured user touch type; and Calculating average values ​​and tolerances of the user touch parameters obtained from each of the touch operations performed by the user multiple times for each preconfigured user touch type to obtain the touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types. [5] A touch panel surface touch detection system for a touch control device, comprising: an acquisition module (100) configured to acquire real-time user touch parameters of a user touch, wherein the acquisition module (100) is a touch control assembly of the touch control device, and wherein the user touch parameters include a duration of the user touch and touch pad areas measured in real time at various moments during the user touch; a recognition module (200) configured to use the acquired real-time user touch parameters to query a pre-created database and obtain a user touch parameter range corresponding to the acquired real-time user touch parameters; and to recognize an overall touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range, the recognition module (200) further comprising: a determination unit (201) configured to query the pre-created database with the user touch parameters acquired in real time to obtain a bandwidth corresponding to the user touch parameters; a first detection unit (202) configured to detect the first touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range corresponding to the touch duration, wherein the first touch type includes a long touch and a short touch, and wherein a touch duration corresponding to the long touch is greater than a touch duration corresponding to the short touch; a second detection unit (203) configured to detect the second touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range corresponding to the user touch area areas measured in real time at different moments during the user touch, wherein the second touch type includes a soft touch and a strong touch, and wherein a touch pressure corresponding to the soft touch is smaller than a touch pressure corresponding to the strong touch; and a third detection unit (204) configured to detect the overall touch type by combining the first touch type and the second touch type, wherein the pre-created database stores relationship data between preconfigured user touch types and user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types; the user touch types include the first touch type and the second touch type; and different user touch parameter ranges correspond to different preconfigured touch types. [6] A touch detection system according to claim 5, wherein: the user touch parameters also include a rate of change of a user touch area measured in real time; and the detection module has: a determination unit (201) configured to query the pre-created database of user touch parameters to obtain a bandwidth corresponding to the user touch parameters; a first detection unit (202) configured to detect the first touch type of the user touch based on the user touch parameter range corresponding to the touch duration; a second detection unit (203) configured to obtain rates of change of user touch area measured at different touch intervals during the user touch in real time, based on user touch area measured at different moments during the user touch in real time, and to detect the second touch type based on bandwidths corresponding to the rates of change of the user touch; and a third detection unit (204) configured to detect the overall touch type by combining the first touch type and the second touch type. [7] The touch detection system of claim 5, further comprising: a setup module (300) configured to set up the pre-created database, wherein the pre-configured user touch types, the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the pre-configured user touch types, and the relationship data between the pre-configured user touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the pre-configured user touch types are stored in the pre-created database. [8] The touch detection system of claim 7, wherein the device module comprises: a prompting unit (301) configured to prompt the user to perform touch operations on the touch control device at least once for each preconfigured user touch type; a statistics unit (302) configured to obtain the user touch parameters from the touch operations performed by the user at least once for each preconfigured touch type to obtain the touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types; and a setup unit (303) configured to set up a database in which the preconfigured user touch types, the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types, and the relationship data between the preconfigured user touch types and the user touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types are stored. [9] A touch detection system according to claim 8, wherein: the prompting unit is further configured to prompt the user to perform the touch operations multiple times for each preconfigured user touch type on the touch control device; and the statistics unit is further configured to obtain the user touch parameters from each of the touch operations performed by the user multiple times for each preconfigured user touch type, and to calculate mean values ​​and tolerances of the user touch parameters obtained from each of the touch operations performed by the user multiple times for each preconfigured user touch type to obtain the touch parameter ranges corresponding to the preconfigured user touch types.

Images