Multi-Screen Touch Sensing via Time-Division Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch screen display systems face challenges in providing satisfactory operation quality for multiple screens without increasing manufacturing costs, particularly in effectively controlling and calibrating touch sensing functions across multiple touch screen display apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A touch screen display system comprising at least two touch screen display apparatuses and a host apparatus, where the host apparatus controls each display to sense touch locations in a time division manner, displaying main frames, extending frames, and test patterns for calibration, including gray scale and position compensation patterns, to accurately determine touch locations on multiple screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single projection apparatus is used for multiple touch screens, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but touch sensing precision and operation quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the touch sensing function into separate modules for each display apparatus. Each display apparatus has its own sensing light source and image capturing apparatus, allowing independent touch detection while sharing the projection apparatus. This segmentation maintains manufacturing cost efficiency while preserving touch sensing precision for each screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements time-division multiplexing where the projection apparatus alternates between projecting images and projecting sensing light patterns. During image projection phase, normal display content is shown; during sensing phase, light curtains are projected for touch detection. This periodic action allows single apparatus to serve multiple functions without interference, maintaining both cost efficiency and sensing precision.
2Measurement precision
If separate projection apparatuses are used for each touch screen, then touch sensing precision is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the projection apparatus universal by enabling it to perform both image projection and touch sensing functions. The same projection apparatus projects display content during normal operation and switches to projecting sensing light patterns when touch detection is needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate apparatuses, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining sensing precision through dedicated sensing phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the image projection function and touch sensing function into a single integrated system. The projection apparatus, sensing light source, and image capturing apparatus work together as one unified system that alternates between display and sensing modes. This combining approach reduces the number of separate components needed, lowering manufacturing cost while preserving the precision of touch detection through dedicated sensing hardware.
3Reliability
If time division sensing is implemented for multiple touch screens, then operation quality is maintained, but sensing response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements rapid periodic switching between image projection and sensing modes. The controller alternates between these functions in quick succession, with sensing phases occurring at regular intervals. This periodic action ensures that touch sensing is performed frequently enough to maintain operation quality and reliability, while the rapid switching minimizes the time lost to sensing operations, keeping response time acceptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous touch sensing capability by rapidly alternating between image projection and sensing modes. Rather than stopping sensing between screens, the system continuously cycles through sensing phases for different displays in quick succession. This continuity ensures that touch detection is always active and responsive, maintaining operation quality while minimizing overall time loss through efficient time-division multiplexing.
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
The system enables reliable touch sensing functions for multiple touch screen display apparatuses, ensuring accurate touch location determination through effective calibration and operation, thereby maintaining operation quality without excessive cost increments.
Implementation Method 1
a light curtain is generated in front of the single screen by using the light source
Implementation Method 2
When a touch object touches to the light curtain, light beams of the light curtain are divergently reflected by the touch object
Implementation Method 3
The image capturing apparatus captures the image frames displayed on the single screen
Data Source
AI summary
A touch screen display system including at least two touch screen display apparatuses and a host apparatus is provided. The two touch screen display apparatuses respectively include a first touch screen and a second touch screen. One touch screen display apparatus senses the first touch screen in a first time period. Another touch screen display apparatus senses the second touch screen in a second time period. The host apparatus is electrically connected to the two touch screen display apparatuses. The host apparatus determines a touch location of a first touch object on the first touch screen or a touch location of a second touch object on the second touch screen. In addition, a method for controlling a touch screen display system is also provided.