Touch Screen Controller Integrating Finger and Pen Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch screen systems require separate controllers for finger and pointer touch sensing, leading to increased thickness and cost of electronic devices due to the need for dual touch panels and controllers.
Innovation Solution
A touch screen controller that integrates a driving circuit, boosting circuit, and control circuit to generate distinct voltages and switching frequencies for finger and pen touch modes, allowing a single touch panel to support both sensing modes, thereby reducing device size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate finger touch panel and pointer touch panel are used, then both finger touch and pointer touch sensing functions are provided, but the thickness of electronic apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both finger touch panel and pointer touch panel into a single integrated touch panel structure. The touch panel includes both first electrodes for finger touch sensing and second electrodes for pointer touch sensing, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously within one panel layer, thereby reducing the overall thickness of the electronic apparatus while maintaining both sensing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel is designed with multi-functionality to support both finger touch and pointer touch sensing operations. By incorporating both types of electrodes and enabling the controller to switch between different sensing modes, the single touch panel serves multiple purposes that previously required separate panels, thus reducing thickness without compromising versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate finger touch screen controller and pointer touch screen controller are used, then both finger touch and pointer touch sensing are supported, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of separate finger touch screen controller and pointer touch screen controller into a single integrated controller. The controller includes a switching unit that can selectively activate different sensing modes (finger touch mode or pointer touch mode) based on the operating conditions, thereby consolidating what would have been two separate controllers into one, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining both sensing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with universal functionality to handle both finger touch and pointer touch sensing operations through a single device. The switching unit enables the controller to adapt its operation mode based on the touch type, making one controller sufficient for both functions that previously required dedicated separate controllers, thus reducing overall system cost.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If switching frequency is changed between driving period and sensing period, then noise characteristics are improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by switching the operating frequency of the boosting circuit between a first frequency during the driving period and a second frequency during the sensing period. This periodic frequency switching is controlled by a switching unit that responds to timing signals, creating a rhythmic pattern of frequency changes that optimizes noise characteristics during different operational phases without requiring complex continuous control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables stable and sensitive touch sensing for both finger and pen inputs using a single touch panel, reducing noise interference and maintaining sensitivity without the need for separate panels and controllers.
Implementation Method 1
a boosting circuit configured, in the first touch mode, to generate a first voltage, by performing an internal switching operation based on an input voltage and a first switching signal
Implementation Method 2
A touch panel may provide a region that can be touched by a finger of a user of an electronic apparatus and a pointer, such as a stylus pen, and may include a plurality of electrodes that provide sensing signals corresponding to occurrence or non-occurrence of a touch
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a touch screen controller, a touch screen system including the touch screen controller, and a method of operating the touch screen controller. The touch screen controller includes a driving circuit configured to output a first driving signal in a first touch mode and a second driving signal in a second touch mode, the first touch mode including a driving period and a subsequent sensing period; and a boosting circuit configured, in the first touch mode, to generate a first voltage by performing an internal switching operation based on an input voltage and a first switching signal, and configured to provide the first voltage to the driving circuit, wherein the first switching signal has a first frequency in the driving period and a second frequency different from the first frequency in the subsequent sensing period.