Electronic apparatus and touch event processing method thereof

Abstract

To provide a touch detection circuit.SOLUTION: A detection circuit comprises: an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert touch signals of a touch panel from analog form to digital form; a controller coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to calculate, based on the touch signals, at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size corresponding to at least one touch event on the touch panel; and a packet generator coupled to the controller and configured to package the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size into a touch data packet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the detection of touch events for touch operations, and more particularly to a touch detection circuit, an electronic device, and a touch event processing method having a function of detecting touch events for touch operations.

Background Art

[0002] Panels having a touch detection function have already been widely applied to vehicle systems. General uses of vehicle panels include GPS navigation display, multimedia display, operation of application programs, setting of vehicle systems, and the like. However, since there is no unified packet format specification between chip suppliers and in-vehicle suppliers, it is necessary to spend more time considering and defining the packet format.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] One aspect of the present invention provides a touch detection circuit including an analog / digital converter arranged to convert a touch signal of a touch panel from an analog form to a digital form, a controller coupled to the analog / digital converter and arranged to calculate at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size corresponding to at least one touch event on the touch panel based on the touch signal, and a packet generator coupled to the controller and arranged to package at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size as a touch data packet.

[0004] In some embodiments, the packet generator is further arranged to package hold information into the touch data packet.

[0005] In some embodiments, the packet generator is further arranged to package debug information into the touch data packet.

[0006] In some embodiments, the debug information includes at least one of a recalibration count value, a baseline update indicator, a palm touch event indicator, an idle mode indicator, a frequency hopping mode indicator, and a glove mode indicator.

[0007] In some embodiments, the packet generator is further arranged to package a checksum into the touch data packet.

[0008] In some embodiments, the packet generator is further arranged to package a plurality of at least one of the touch events into the touch data packet.

[0009] In some embodiments, the touch detection circuit further includes a data communication interface coupled to the packet generator and arranged to transmit the touch data packet to the electronic device.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides an electronic device comprising: a touch panel having a touch detection function; a touch detection circuit coupled to the touch panel, the touch detection circuit including: an analog / digital converter arranged to convert a touch signal of the touch panel from an analog form to a digital form; a controller coupled to the analog / digital converter and arranged to calculate at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size corresponding to at least one touch event on the touch panel based on the touch signal; a packet generator coupled to the controller and arranged to package the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size into a touch data packet; and an application processor arranged to receive and depackage the touch data packet to obtain the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size respectively corresponding to at least one touch event on the touch panel.

[0011] In some embodiments, the packet generator is further arranged to package hold information into the touch data packet.

[0012] In some embodiments, the packet generator is further arranged to package debug information into the touch data packet.

[0013] In some embodiments, the packet generator is further arranged to package a checksum into the touch data packet.

[0014] In some embodiments, the packet generator is further arranged to package a plurality of at least one of the touch events into the touch data packet.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention provides a touch event processing method including: detecting at least one touch event on a touch panel to obtain a touch signal; converting the touch signal from an analog form to a digital form; calculating at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size corresponding to at least one touch event on the touch panel based on the touch signal; and packaging the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size into a touch data packet.

[0016] In some embodiments, the touch event processing method further includes packaging at least one of hold information, debug information, a checksum and a plurality of at least one of the touch events into the touch data packet, and the debug information includes at least one of a recalibration count value, a baseline update indicator, a palm touch event indicator, an idle mode indicator, a frequency hopping mode indicator and a glove mode indicator.

[0017] In some embodiments, the touch event processing method further includes: transmitting a touch data packet to an electronic device; and unpacking the touch data packet by the electronic device to obtain at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size respectively corresponding to at least one touch event on the touch panel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] The following description of the accompanying drawings is for the purpose of making the above and other objects, features, merits and embodiments of the present invention clearer and more understandable.

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be discussed in detail. It is understood that the embodiments provide many applicable concepts that can be implemented with various specific details. The embodiments discussed and disclosed are for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0020] The terms used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only for specific embodiments and not for limiting the scope of the claims. Unless otherwise limited, the singular terms "one" or "the" may also be used to represent the plural.

[0021] In the present disclosure, the touch detection circuit detects a touch event on the touch panel, packages the touch signal generated from the touch event as a touch data packet according to a defined packet format, and then transmits it to the electronic device for further operations. By adopting the defined packet format, it helps to unify the packet format specifications between the chip supplier and the in-vehicle supplier, saving the time for both to further consider and define the packet format.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a touch detection circuit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The touch detection circuit 100 includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 101, a memory 102, a controller 103, a packet generator 104, and a data communication interface 105. The analog-to-digital converter 101 is arranged to convert a touch signal of the touch panel 111 from an analog form to a digital form. The touch signal may be generated based on a touch event on the touch panel 111. The memory 102 is arranged to store the touch signal in the touch detection circuit 100. The memory 102 may be a volatile memory such as a static random-access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), and / or other similar elements. The controller 103 is arranged to calculate a coordinate point and a touch size corresponding to a touch event on the touch panel 111 based on the touch signal (or a plurality of coordinate points and a plurality of touch sizes respectively corresponding to a plurality of touch events). The controller 103 may be, for example, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic controller (PLC), or the like. The packet generator 104 is arranged to package the coordinate point and the touch size into a touch data packet. The data communication interface 105 is arranged to provide a communication path for accessing the electronic device 110 to the controller 103. Depending on the type of the electronic device 110, the data communication interface 105 may be, for example, a serial peripheral interface (SPI) or other appropriate interface. The controller 103 can transmit the touch data packet to the electronic device 110 via the data communication interface 105.After the touch data packet is transmitted to the electronic device 110, the application processor 112 of the electronic device 110 receives and depackages the touch data packet to obtain the coordinate points and touch sizes respectively corresponding to the touch events on the touch panel 111.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the packet generator 104 is arranged to encapsulate the coordinate points and touch sizes calculated based on the touch signal by the controller 103. The packet generator 104 may further be arranged to package reserved information, debug information, and a checksum into the touch data packet.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the debug information packaged in the touch data packet may include a recalibration count value, a baseline update indicator, a palm touch event indicator, an idle mode indicator, a frequency hopping mode indicator, and / or a glove mode indicator. The recalibration count value is used to instruct to recalibrate the trigger count when the touch signal from the touch panel 111 is abnormal, that is, when the touch size exceeds a reasonable range. The baseline update indicator is used to monitor whether the baseline update function is in execution. Since it is executed when an object with always-enabled baseline update is not detected, a predetermined value of the baseline update indicator indicates that the baseline function has been enabled. The palm touch event indicator is used to indicate whether there is a palm touch event or other abnormal touch event (e.g., having a very large touch size) on the touch panel 111. The idle mode indicator is used to indicate whether the touch panel 111 is in the idle mode to save power. When the touch panel 111 is in the idle mode, the touch panel 111 enters a power-saving state, and in the power-saving state, the sensing accuracy decreases because a plurality of sensing pads in the same receiving channel of the touch panel 111 are sensed simultaneously. Conversely, when the touch panel 111 is in the normal mode (opposed to the idle mode), the touch panel 111 leaves the power-saving state, and a plurality of sensing pads in the same receiving channel of the touch panel 111 are sensed at different times, and higher sensing accuracy is obtained. The frequency hopping mode indicator is used to indicate the frequency band in which the touch panel 111 operates. The glove mode indicator is used to indicate whether the touch panel 111 has activated the glove mode (e.g., a high-sensitivity mode for detecting small touch signals).

[0025] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a checksum packaged in a touch data packet is used to check the integrity of the data being transmitted. In one example, the checksum may be defined by the following formula. [Number]

[0026] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the packet generator 104 can process up to 10 touch events (e.g., 10 fingers of the user) on the touch panel 111 and can package 1 to 10 touch events into a touch data packet. For example, if there are 5 touch events simultaneously on the touch panel 111, the packet generator 104 can package 1 to 10 touch events into a touch data packet.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a touch event processing method 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The touch event processing method 200 is applicable to the arrangement of FIG. 1 or other similar arrangements. Hereinafter, the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example. In step S202, the touch detection circuit 100 is arranged to detect touch events such as touch events by the user's finger or stylus on the touch panel 111. In step S204, the analog / digital converter 101 is arranged to convert the touch signal from analog form to digital form. In step S206, the controller 103 is used to calculate the coordinate points and touch sizes (or a plurality of coordinate points and a plurality of touch sizes respectively corresponding to a plurality of touch events) corresponding to the touch events based on the touch signal. In step S208, the packet generator 104 is arranged to package the coordinate points and touch sizes into a touch data packet.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, after the controller 103 transmits a touch data packet to the electronic device 110 via the data communication interface 105, the application processor 112 of the electronic device 110 receives and depackages the touch data packet to obtain the coordinate points and touch sizes respectively corresponding to the touch events on the touch panel 111.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a touch detection circuit 300 and an electronic device 310 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the touch detection circuit 300 includes an electronic device 310 having an analog / digital converter 301, a memory 302, a controller 303, a packet generator 304, a data communication interface 305, and an application processor 311. The difference from FIG. 1 is that the touch panel 320 is separated from the electronic device 310.

[0030] The electronic device 310 may be, for example, an in-vehicle infotainment display, a vehicle navigation device, and / or other suitable electronic devices having touch detection and display functions. The electronic device 310 includes an application processor 311 for processing user application programs. The application processor 311 may be a system on a chip (SoC), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a microprocessor, or the like. The touch panel 320 having a touch detection function may have touch sensors arranged in an array. The touch detection circuit 300 is coupled to the touch panel 320 and is used to drive the touch panel 320 to perform touch detection. In some alternative embodiments, the touch panel 320 having a touch detection function may be integrated into the display panel of the electronic device 310 to form a touch display panel. In some embodiments, the touch detection circuit 300 is a touch with display driver (TDDI) circuit and is used for touch detection driving in the touch panel 320 and display driving in the electronic device 310. The controller 303 of the touch detection circuit 300 can transmit the coordinate points and touch size corresponding to the touch events in the touch panel 320 to the application processor 311 for performing further operations such as map applications, audio or video playback.

[0031] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above by way of examples, the examples do not limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various corrections, substitutions, and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention is based on the content specified in the following claims.

[0032] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and variations of the present invention as long as they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of Signs

[0033] 100, 300 Touch detection circuit 101, 301 Analog / digital converter 102, 302 Memory 103, 303 Controller 104, 304 Packet generator 105, 305 Data communication interface 110, 310 Electronic device 111, 320 Touch panel 112, 311 Application processor 200 Touch event processing method Steps S202, S204, S206, S208

Claims

1. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) arranged to convert a plurality of touch signals of a touch panel from an analog form to a digital form, a controller coupled to the analog / digital converter and arranged to calculate at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size corresponding to at least one touch event on the touch panel based on the touch signal, a packet generator coupled to the controller and arranged to package the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size into a touch data packet, A touch detection circuit comprising.

2. The touch detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein the packet generator is further arranged to package hold information into the touch data packet.

3. The touch detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein the packet generator is further arranged to package debug information into the touch data packet.

4. The touch detection circuit according to claim 3, wherein the debug information includes at least one of a recalibration count value, a baseline update indicator, a palm touch event indicator, an idle mode indicator, a frequency hopping mode indicator, and a glove mode indicator.

5. The touch detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein the packet generator is further arranged to package a checksum into the touch data packet.

6. The touch detection circuit according to claim 1, wherein the packet generator is further arranged to package a plurality of the at least one touch event into the touch data packet.

7. The touch detection circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a data communication interface coupled to the packet generator and arranged to transmit the touch data packet to an electronic device.

8. A touch panel having a touch detection function, A touch detection circuit coupled to the touch panel, comprising: an analog / digital converter arranged to convert a plurality of touch signals of the touch panel from an analog form to a digital form; a controller coupled to the analog / digital converter and arranged to calculate at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size respectively corresponding to at least one touch event on the touch panel based on the touch signals; and a packet generator coupled to the controller and arranged to package the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size into a touch data packet. An application processor arranged to receive and depackage the touch data packet to obtain the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size respectively corresponding to the at least one touch event on the touch panel. An electronic device comprising the above. **Claim 9** The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the packet generator is further arranged to package hold information into the touch data packet. **Claim 10** The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the packet generator is further arranged to package debug information into the touch data packet. **Claim 11** The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the packet generator is further arranged to package a checksum into the touch data packet. **Claim 12** The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the packet generator is further arranged to package a plurality of the at least one touch event into the touch data packet. **Claim 13** A touch event processing method comprising: detecting at least one touch event on a touch panel to obtain a plurality of touch signals; converting the plurality of touch signals from an analog form to a digital form; calculating at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size respectively corresponding to the at least one touch event on the touch panel based on the plurality of touch signals; and packaging the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size into a touch data packet. The step of converting the plurality of touch signals from an analog form to a digital form. The step of calculating at least one coordinate point and at least one touch size respectively corresponding to the at least one touch event on the touch panel based on the plurality of touch signals. The step of packaging the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size into a touch data packet. A touch event processing method comprising the above steps. **Claim 14** The method for processing a touch event according to claim 13, further comprising a step of packaging at least one of reservation information, debug information, and a checksum and a plurality of at least one touch event into the touch data packet, wherein the debug information includes at least one of a recalibration count value, a baseline update indicator, a palm touch event indicator, an idle mode indicator, a frequency hopping mode indicator, and a glove mode indicator.

15. A step of transmitting the touch data packet to an electronic device, a step of depackaging the touch data packet by the electronic device to obtain the at least one coordinate point and the at least one touch size respectively corresponding to the at least one touch event on the touch panel, The method for processing a touch event according to claim 13, further comprising the above steps.

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