In-Cell Touch Panel Noise Reduction via Frame Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-cell touch panels experience reduced detection sensitivity due to noise interference from TFT operations, leading to lower signal-to-noise ratios.

Innovation Solution

A touch panel design that synchronizes the touch sensor reading operation with the display frame period and calculates an average of touch data from successive frames to offset noise, using a touch data detection part and a touch data calculation part to achieve noise-reduced touch data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the touch sensor is integrated into the LCD device (in-cell touch panel), then the panel achieves compactness and reduced cost, but the touch sensor is close to the array glass where TFTs are formed, causing coupled noise and reduced detection sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel structureVSAvoidtouch detection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing the touch sensor reading operation with the display frame period. The touch sensor reads touch data at specific timing points within each frame, creating a periodic reading pattern that avoids random noise interference and improves signal stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful noise from TFT operations into a beneficial pattern by synchronizing touch reading with display frames. The noise that would normally be random and harmful is transformed into a predictable, periodic signal that can be synchronized with and separated from the touch reading operation, effectively eliminating its harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Speed

If the touch sensor reads touch data continuously, then the response speed is fast, but the coupled noise from TFT operations increases and reduces the signal-to-noise ratio

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch response speedVSAvoidcoupled noise
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by restricting touch data reading to specific timing points synchronized with display frames. Instead of continuous reading, the system performs discrete readings at predetermined intervals within each frame, which maintains responsive touch detection while avoiding the noise periods when TFTs are active.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the optimal reading timing in advance based on the display frame structure. The system pre-calculates when to read touch data relative to the frame timing, ensuring that readings occur before or after the noisy TFT operation periods, thus preventing noise contamination before it can affect the measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the touch sensor reading timing is not synchronized with display frames, then the reading operation is simple, but the detected touch data contains noise from display device operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading operationVSAvoidtouch data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by synchronizing the touch sensor reading operation with the display frame period. The reading operation occurs at predetermined timing points within each frame, creating a regular periodic pattern that naturally separates touch data acquisition from the noisy TFT operation periods, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8963852B2Touch panel, driving method for the touch panel, program for getting touch information, and memory media
Publication Date: 2015.02.24 INNOLUX CORP
  • US8963852B2 patent drawing
  • US8963852B2 patent drawing
  • US8963852B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The purpose of the invention is to provide a touch panel, a driving method for the touch panel, a program for getting touch information, and a memory media, capable of reducing the influence caused by the operation of a display device to the touch panel. The touch panel having a display driven by alternative voltage and a touch sensor reading the touch information from the input interface periodically, includes a touch information detection part synchronizing the beginning timing of a reading operation of the touch sensor with a frame of the display and detecting the touch data in each frame, and a touch information calculation part calculating an average with respect to an even number of successive frames to get a calculated touch data corresponding to a predetermined frame.