Display Sensor Controller Mode Switching for Flicker Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display devices face challenges in sensing inputs from various devices, such as touch and electronic pens, with limited sensitivity and efficiency, particularly in switching between different sensing modes during image frame periods.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a sensor controller that operates in multiple sensing modes, triggered by a synchronization signal, allowing for improved sensitivity by adjusting sensing periods and modes within each image frame to effectively handle touch and pen inputs, using a panel driving circuit and input sensors with specific electrode configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensing mode is switched during image frame periods to improve input detection sensitivity, then the ability to detect touch and pen inputs is improved, but image flicker occurs due to timing misalignment between sensing operations and frame display
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing mode is dynamically switched between first sensing mode (for touch input) and second sensing mode (for pen input) based on the synchronized timing with image frame periods. The controller adjusts the sensing operation timing to coincide with vertical blanking periods or specific phases within frame periods, allowing high-sensitivity sensing without causing visible flicker during active display phases
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing operations are performed periodically in synchronization with the image frame rate. The controller alternates between different sensing modes at predetermined intervals aligned with frame periods, ensuring that sensing activities occur during appropriate timing windows that do not disrupt the continuous display refresh cycle, thereby eliminating flicker while maintaining detection sensitivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensing modes operate simultaneously to detect various input devices, then the versatility of input detection is improved, but the complexity of controlling sensing operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing operation is segmented into distinct first sensing mode and second sensing mode, each optimized for specific input device types. The controller divides the sensing task by assigning different electrode configurations and signal processing methods to different modes, allowing independent optimization for touch and pen inputs while managing complexity through structured separation of sensing functions
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both first sensing mode (capacitive touch sensing) and second sensing mode (pen input sensing with downlink signal detection) using the same hardware infrastructure. The controller automatically selects and switches between modes based on detected input characteristics, providing universal input device compatibility without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each input type
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a display panel; an input sensor on the display panel; a panel driving circuit to drive the display panel, and to output a synchronization signal; and a sensor controller to control the input sensor. The sensor controller determines a sensing mode in response to the synchronization signal, and changes the sensing mode to a second sensing mode when the synchronization signal is activated in a first sensing mode.