WO2015119462A1

WO2015119462A1 - Method for obtaining touch input information of particular sensing electrode by connecting a plurality of independent sensing electrodes together

Info

Publication number: WO2015119462A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/001260
Authority: WO
Inventors: 신형철; 윤일현
Original assignee: 주식회사 센트론
Priority date: 2014-02-08
Filing date: 2015-02-06
Publication date: 2015-08-13
Also published as: KR101829674B1; KR20150094531A

Abstract

A touch input detection method is disclosed, comprising: a first step of obtaining a first output value from a sensing circuit by connecting N1 sensing electrodes selected from M sensing electrodes to an input terminal of the sensing circuit during a first time period; a second step of obtaining a second output value from the sensing circuit by connecting N2 sensing electrodes selected from the M sensing electrodes to the input terminal of the sensing circuit during a second time period; and a third step of generating touch input information with respect to one sensing electrode of the M sensing electrodes using the first output value and the second output value.

Description

A method of acquiring touch input information on a specific sensing electrode by connecting a plurality of independent sensing electrodes to each other

The present invention relates to a technique for acquiring touch input information on a specific sensing electrode in a self-capacitance touch input sensing device.

BACKGROUND ART As a user device that receives a user's command and outputs a result corresponding to the command on a display device, recently, user devices called smart phones, smart pads, and laptop computers have been disclosed. In particular, these user devices may include a device that is arranged near a display screen of the user device and covers an entire area of the display screen as a user input device that receives a user command. Examples of such user input devices include so-called pressure sensitive touch panels, capacitive touch panels, and stylus pen touch panels (hereinafter, simply pen touch panels). The above touch panels are products based on different technologies (hereinafter, touch input technologies). Since the above technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages, attempts have been made to provide a more convenient user input experience by combining the advantages of each other. The basic principle of operation of each of these techniques has been disclosed in several documents.

The present invention is to provide a method for increasing the SNR of the touch input sensing field.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a touch input detection method detects N1 (= 3) sensing electrodes A, B, and C selected from M (= 4) sensing electrodes during a first time period 52A. A first step of connecting together to an input terminal of a circuit to obtain a first output value y [0] from the sensing circuit; During the second time period 52B, the detection is performed by connecting N2 (= 3) sensing electrodes A, B, and D selected from the M (= 4) sensing electrodes together with the input terminal of the sensing circuit. A second step of obtaining a second output value y [1] from the circuit; And calculating information about a touch input with respect to any one of the M (= 4) sensing electrodes by using the first output value y [0] and the second output value y [1]. A third step is included.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of calculating touch input information, comprising: first information including definitions for p time periods T_v; Each of the plurality of p time periods T_v is defined in correspondence with the second information including a definition of a sensing electrode combination TEC_v consisting of N_v sensing electrodes selected from the plurality of sensing electrodes. A method of calculating information about a touch input with respect to any one of the sensing electrodes. At this time, provided that p is an integer of 2 or more and an integer of v = 1 to p. In this case, different sensing electrode combinations belonging to the p sensing electrode combinations may include sensing electrodes of different combinations. The method includes connecting all sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v together during the time period T_v to an input terminal of an arbitrary touch sensing circuit to obtain an output value TO_v from the arbitrary touch sensing circuit; And calculating information about a touch input to any one of the plurality of sensing electrodes using the p output values TO_v.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be p, p may be an integer of 3 or more, N_v may satisfy N_v = p-1, and N_v may be an integer of 2 or more.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be arranged in a matrix form.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be provided separately from the display panel and disposed on the display panel.

In this case, the display panel may be any one of a TFT panel and an IPS panel.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be a plurality of separate common electrodes used as components of the display panel to operate the display panel.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be connected to input terminals of one or more touch input sensing circuits allocated in a predetermined manner during the p time periods T_v.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be connected to a predetermined reference potential Vref2 during at least some of the periods other than the p time periods T_v.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be adjacent to each other.

In this case, N_v may be a constant regardless of the v value.

In this case, the first sensing electrode of the plurality of sensing electrodes is not adjacent to any of the sensing electrodes except for the first sensing electrode of the plurality of sensing electrodes, and all of the sensing electrodes are adjacent to the first sensing electrode. The sensing electrode may not be included in the plurality of sensing electrodes.

At this time, when the arbitrary touch sensing circuit connected to all the sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v for the time period T_v is denoted as TSC_v, the touch sensing circuit TSC_a and the touch sensing circuit TSC_b are It may be the same touch detection circuit. Provided that a and b are different values, and a and b each represent an integer of 1 to p.

At this time, when the arbitrary touch sensing circuit connected to all the sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v for the time period T_v is denoted as TSC_v, the touch sensing circuit TSC_a and the touch sensing circuit TSC_b are It may be different touch sensing circuits. Provided that a and b are different values, and a and b each represent an integer of 1 to p.

Touch input sensing device according to an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sensing electrodes; One or more touch sensing circuits; And a processing unit. In this case, the processing unit may include: first information including definitions of p time periods T_v; Each of the plurality of p time periods T_v is defined in correspondence with the second information including a definition of a sensing electrode combination TEC_v consisting of N_v sensing electrodes selected from the plurality of sensing electrodes. A method of calculating information about a touch input to one of the sensing electrodes is performed. At this time, p is an integer of 2 or more, and is an integer of v = 1-p. In this case, different sensing electrode combinations belonging to the p sensing electrode combinations may include sensing electrodes of different combinations. And the processor is configured to connect all the sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v to the input terminal of an arbitrary touch sensing circuit together during the time period T_v to obtain an output value TO_v from the arbitrary touch sensing circuit. ; And calculating information on a touch input to any one of the plurality of sensing electrodes by using the p output values TO_v.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method of increasing the SNR by increasing the time for the touch input sensing device to receive an input signal from one sensing electrode.

1 illustrates a cross-sectional structure of an input / output panel constituting an integrated input / output device in which a touch input device and a display device are combined according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 illustrates a structure of an integrated input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows in more detail the configuration near the four VCOM electrodes A1, B1, C1, D1 in the upper left of FIG.

FIG. 4A shows the structure near the image pixel N11 shown in FIG. 3 in more detail.

FIG. 4B shows the structure near VCOM, 11 shown in FIG. 3 in more detail.

5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a circuit for detecting whether a touch input is made at a specific common electrode VCOM, xx and an operation principle thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B shows an example in which the waveform of the periodic voltage signal Vdp shown in FIG. 5A is provided in the form of a periodic AC waveform without a DC component.

5C illustrates a circuit structure in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention for removing the effects of parasitic capacitance in the circuit of FIG. 4B.

6A illustrates a configuration of a touch input sensing circuit provided according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates a connection relationship between another multiplexer 555 or a switch 555 not shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is an example of an internal structure illustrating the functions of the MUXs shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7B is another example of an internal structure showing the functions of the MUXs shown in FIG. 6A.

8A is a timing diagram illustrating a method of driving a touch input sensing circuit according to FIG. 6A, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8B is a modification of the method of driving the touch input sensing circuit according to FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a modification of the method of driving the touch input sensing circuit according to FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is a modification of the method of driving the touch input sensing circuit according to FIG. 8C.

FIG. 9A is a timing diagram illustrating a method of operating the touch input sensing circuit according to FIG. 2 during a touch input sensing wait time according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9B illustrates an example in which the MUX M1 of FIG. 6A connects VCOM, 11, VCOM, 12, VCOM, 21, VCOM, and 22 to the touch sensing signal output unit 10 at one time.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a method of detecting whether a touch input event occurs in a specific VCOM electrode according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The terms used below are merely for referring to specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Also, the singular forms used below include the plural forms unless the phrases clearly indicate the opposite meanings.

The input / output panel 1050 includes a liquid crystal display panel having a thin film transistor array substrate 1020, a color filter array substrate 1030, a liquid crystal layer 1040 filled between the two

substrates

1020 and 1030, and a thin film transistor array substrate ( It may include a backlight unit (BLU) 1060 formed under the 1020.

The thin film transistor array substrate 1020 may include gate lines and data lines formed to cross each other on the first substrate 1021, thin film transistors formed at intersections of the gate lines and the data lines, and formed in a liquid crystal cell unit. And a TFT array 1023 including pixel electrodes connected to thin film transistors, and an alignment film 1025 coated thereon. The gate lines and the data lines receive a signal from the driving circuits through the respective pad parts, and the thin film transistor may supply a pixel voltage signal supplied to the data line to the pixel electrode in response to a scan signal supplied to the gate line.

The color filter array substrate 1030 includes color filters 1033 formed in units of liquid crystal cells on the second substrate 1031, a black matrix 1035 for distinguishing between color filters and reflecting external light, and liquid crystal cells. It may include a common electrode (Vcom) 1037 for supplying a reference voltage to the common, and an alignment film 1039 coated on them. In this case, the common electrode (Vcom) 1037 may be divided into a number provided. That is, a plurality of common electrodes may exist. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of common electrodes may be used as a device for detecting a touch input.

The integrated input / output device may include an input / output panel 1050, a timing controller 1101, a data driver 1102, a gate driver 1103, a host computer 1120, and a touch IC. In FIG. 2, for convenience, only the first substrate 1021 and the plurality of common electrodes Vcom 1037 in which the gate lines and the data lines are formed in the input / output panel 1050 are illustrated.

The input / output panel 1050 may include a color filter array, a thin film transistor array, a liquid crystal layer disposed therebetween, and a spacer for maintaining a cell gap of the liquid crystal layer. The color filter array may include an upper substrate, a color filter formed on one surface of the upper substrate, a black matrix, and a common electrode Vcom formed on the color filter and the black matrix. The thin film transistor array includes a lower substrate and a plurality of data lines (DL) 1104, a plurality of gate lines (GL) 1105, gate lines 1105, and a plurality of data lines (DL) 1104 formed to cross each other on one surface of the lower substrate. The thin film transistor may be formed in an area where the data line 1104 intersects, and pixels defined by the intersection of the gate line 1105 and the data line 1104. The lower polarizer may be disposed on the other surface of the lower substrate.

The backlight unit may be disposed under the input / output panel 1050. The backlight unit may uniformly irradiate light to the input / output panel 1050 including a plurality of light sources. The backlight unit may be implemented as a direct type backlight unit or an edge type backlight unit. The light source of the backlight unit may include any one or two or more light sources of a hot cathode fluorescent lamp (HCFL), a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL), and a light emitting diode (LED).

The data driver 1102 may sample and latch the digital video data RGB under the control of the timing controller 1101. The data driver 1102 may convert the digital video data RGB into a positive / negative gamma compensation voltage to reverse the polarity of the data voltage. The positive / negative data voltage output from the data driver 1102 may be synchronized with the gate pulse output from the gate driver 1103. Each of the source drive ICs of the data driver 1102 may be connected to the data lines 1104 of the input / output panel 1050 by a chip on glass (COG) process or a tape automated bonding (TAB) process. The source drive IC may be integrated in the timing controller 1101 and implemented as a one-chip IC together with the timing controller 1101.

The gate driver 1103 sequentially outputs a gate pulse (or scan pulse) in the display mode under the control of the timing controller 1101, and shifts the swing voltage of the output to a gate high voltage and a gate low voltage. The gate pulses output from the gate driver 1103 may be sequentially supplied to the gate lines 1105 in synchronization with the data voltages output from the data driver 1102. The gate high voltage may be a voltage higher than or equal to the threshold voltage of the thin film transistor T, and the gate low voltage may be lower than the threshold voltage of the thin film transistor T. The gate drive ICs of the gate driver 1103 may be connected to the gate lines 1105 of the lower substrate of the input / output panel 1050 through a TAP process, or may be connected to the gate lines 1105 of the input / output panel 1050 together with pixels through a GIP (Gate In Panel) process. It may be formed directly on the lower substrate.

The timing controller 1101 uses a timing signal from the host computer 1120 to adjust the data timing control signal for controlling the operation timing of the data driver 1102 and the polarity of the data voltage, and the operation timing of the gate driver 1103. A gate timing control signal for controlling may be generated.

The gate timing control signal may include a gate start pulse (GSP), a gate shift clock (GSC), a gate output enable signal (Gate Output Enable, GOE), and the like. The gate start pulse GSP is applied from the gate driver 1103 to the first gate drive IC that outputs the gate pulse first in every frame period to control the shift start timing of the gate drive IC. The gate shift clock GSC is commonly input to gate drive ICs of the gate driver 1103 to shift the gate start pulse GSP. The gate output enable signal GOE may control the output timing of the gate drive ICs of the gate driver 1103.

The data timing control signal includes a source start pulse (SSP), a source sampling clock (SSC), a polarity control signal (POL), and a source output enable signal (SOE). It may include. The source start pulse SSP may be applied to the first source drive IC sampling data first in the data driver 1102 to control the data sampling start timing. The source sampling clock SSC is a clock signal that controls sampling timing of data in the source drive ICs based on a rising or falling edge. The polarity control signal POL may control the polarity of the data voltages output from the source drive ICs. The source output enable signal SOE can control the output timing of the source drive ICs. If the digital video data RGB is input to the data driver 1102 through a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) interface, the source start pulse SSP and the source sampling clock SSC may be omitted.

The host computer 1120 transmits the digital video data RGB of the input image and the timing signals Vsync, Hsync, DE, and MCLK required for driving the display through an interface such as an LVDS interface and a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) interface. It may transmit to the timing controller 1101.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the timing controller 1101, the data driver 1102, and the gate driver 1103 may be included in one DDI chip 2 (FIG. 6A). 6A illustrates an example in which the DDI chip 2 includes a timing controller 1101, a data driver 1102, and a gate driver 1103 for convenience of description.

Hereinafter, in the present specification, the common electrode 1037 may be referred to as a 'VCOM electrode 1037'. In this case, the common electrodes may be arranged in an M * N matrix, and in the example of FIG. 2, M = 6 and N = 6. Hereinafter, the common electrode 1037 intersecting in the p-th row and the q-th column may be referred to as VCOM, pq. For example, the common electrode 1037 intersecting in the second row and the third column may be denoted as VCOM, 23.

In one embodiment, the common electrodes 1037 may be used as a component for outputting the screen in the first time period, and may be used as a component for checking the touch input in the second time period.

The plurality of data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, ... extend in the up and down direction in the drawing, and the plurality of gate lines GL1, GL2, GL3, ... extend in the left and right direction in the drawing. have. By controlling the potential applied to the data lines DL1, DL2, DL3, ... and the gate lines GL1, GL2, GL3, ..., at the intersection between these data lines and the gate lines. The image output from the image pixel can be controlled. Here, the image pixels existing at the intersection point are denoted by the symbol Nxy. For example, the image pixel at the node where the data line DL1 and the gate line GL1 intersect is denoted by N11.

In FIG. 3, two data lines and two gate lines pass through one VCOM electrode, but the number of data lines and gate lines passing through an area occupied by one VCOM electrode may be larger or smaller than this.

Referring to FIG. 4A, an electrical signal applied through the data line DL1 affects the transistor T11, where the gate line GL1 adjusts the gate voltage of the transistor T11. At this time, the data line DL1, the gate line GL1, the transistor T11, and VCOM, 11 exist near the image pixel N11. In addition, various capacitors 61 to 66 exist between these components. Some of these capacitors 61 to 66 are intentionally formed, and others may be inadvertently generated capacitors. In FIG. 4A, a total of six capacitors 61 to 66 are modeled, but may be modeled in different numbers. It will be described below on the basis of the six modeled examples.

Nevertheless, the touch input sensing characteristic is determined by the

capacitors

64, 65, 66 directly connected to VCOM, 11 and the capacitance ΔCx, 11 formed between VCOM, 11 and the touch input tool 17. I can understand. At this point, in view of the touch input processing, the capacitors 61 to 66 may be regarded as the parasitic capacitor C11 as a whole.

The parasitic capacitor C11 may be regarded as a capacitor having nodes n11 to n12 as the first pole and nodes n21 to n24 as the second pole.

In the circuit model shown in FIG. 4A, the parasitic capacitor C11 is connected to a total of three points of VCOM, 11, the data line DL1, and the gate line GL1. In this case, one end of the parasitic capacitor C11 may be regarded as a portion connected to VCOM, 11 and the other terminal is a portion connected to the data line DL1 and the gate line GL1.

Since the amount of charge flowing between VCOM, 11 and the

capacitors

64, 65, and 66 is varied together according to the variable electrical properties of the data line DL1 and the gate line GL1, the parasitic capacitor ΔCp, 11 Also included the symbol Δ.

FIG. 4B shows the structure near VCOM, 11 shown in FIG. 3 in more detail.

Since two data lines DL1 and DL2 and two gate lines GL1 and GL2 pass through VCOM, 11, four image pixels N11, N12, N21, and N22 may be formed. Therefore, four parasitic capacitors C11, C12, C21, and C22 may be connected to VCOM, 11. When a touch input is present at VCOM 11, a capacitance ΔCx 11 may be formed between VCOM 11 and the touch input tool 17. At this time, since the value of the capacitance ΔCx, 11 varies depending on the presence or absence of proximity of the touch input tool 17, the value of the capacitance ΔCx, 11 is displayed using the symbol Δ.

The touch input sensing circuit 10 shown in FIG. 5A may include an operational amplifier 215 and an integrating capacitor Cf connected between an inverting input terminal and an output terminal of the operational amplifier 215. In this case, the voltage signal Vdp may be input to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 215. For convenience, the input terminal 11 of the touch input sensing circuit 10 may be defined. The input terminal 11 may be the same terminal as the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 215. The input terminal 11 may be connected to VCOM, xx.

The voltage signal Vdp may be a signal having periodicity. Furthermore, it may be a periodic signal in which the DC component is zero, that is, an AC periodic signal. Alternatively, the voltage signal Vdp may not be a periodic signal, but may be a signal having a component of frequency fc.

In FIG. 5A, the magnitude of the current flowing through the node Nx, xx is equivalent to the capacitance Cx, xx formed between the common electrode VCOM, xx and the finger 17 combined with the parasitic capacitance Cp, xx. It can be influenced by the size of the capacitance. This equivalent capacitance can be named Cxe. The parasitic capacitance Cp, xx represents a result of modeling all parasitic capacitances connected to the common electrode VCOM, xx as one capacitor. For example, in the case of the common electrode VCOM 11 of FIG. 4B, the parasitic capacitance Cp, xx may be modeled by one capacitor of the influence of four parasitic capacitors C11, C12, C21, and C22.

In FIG. 5A, a process of checking whether a touch input is made at the common electrode VCOM, xx may be periodically updated, and when the update is required, the switch SWr may be reset to an on state for a while. .

In Fig. 5B, (a) shows an alternating sine wave, (b) shows an alternating triangle wave, and (c) shows an alternating square wave. In each case, the output voltage Vo of the operational amplifier 215 outputs waveforms of the same or similar form as the AC sine wave, the AC triangle wave, and the AC square wave. The output voltage Vo may have a frequency component different from the center frequency fc, and the other frequency component may be (1) a frequency component inherent in the voltage signal Vdp, or (2) a voltage according to a nonlinear transfer function. It may be a frequency component generated by being distorted from the signal Vdp, or (3) may be a frequency component provided by noise introduced from the outside.

In this case, the amplitude of the output voltage Vo may be proportional to the magnitude of the equivalent capacitance Cxe described above and may be inversely proportional to the magnitude of the integration capacitor Cf. Therefore, since the magnitude of the integrating capacitor Cf is known in advance, the magnitude of the equivalent capacitance Cxe can be calculated by measuring the amplitude of the output voltage Vo. At this time, if the value of the parasitic capacitance Cp, xx can be known in advance, the value of the capacitance Cx, xx formed between the electrode pad VCOM, xx and the finger 17 can also be determined.

In the case where the waveform of the periodic voltage signal Vdp is provided in the form of a periodic AC waveform having no DC component, the amplitude of the output voltage Vo may be measured directly, but a specific sine wave is applied to the output voltage Vo. You can also mix to measure the output voltage. In this case, only the same frequency component as the sine wave among the components of the output voltage Vo may be extracted. As the sine wave, the same signal sin (2πfc) as the center frequency fc of the voltage signal Vdp may be used. As a result, noises of frequency components other than the center frequency fc may be removed.

The voltage of the inverting input terminal (-) of the operational amplifier 215 is considered to be the same as the voltage of the non-inverting input terminal (+). Therefore, the voltage at one node Nx, 11 of the parasitic capacitance Cp, 11 connected to the inverting input terminal (−) and the same node Nx, 11 is the same as the voltage signal Vdp.

At this time, when the voltage signal Vdp is applied to the other node n2 of the parasitic capacitance Cp, 11, since the potential difference across the parasitic capacitance Cp, 11 becomes zero, the parasitic capacitance Cp, No current flows through 11), so it can behave as if parasitic capacitance Cp, 11 is not present.

In FIG. 4B, the other node n2 of the parasitic capacitance Cp and 11 may be connected to the data lines DL1 and DL2 and the gate lines GL1 and GL2. Accordingly, the switches SW1-1, SW1-2, SW1-3, etc. may be provided so that the voltage signal Vdp may be provided to the data lines DL1 and DL2 and the gate lines GL1 and GL2 at least in a time period for detecting a touch input. SW1-4) can be installed. In other time periods, the switches SW1-1, SW1-2, SW1-3, and SW1-4 supply signals for display to the data lines DL1 and DL2 and the gate lines GL1 and GL2, respectively. It may be connected to the signal source (S_DL1, S_DL2, S_GL1, S_GL2). At this time, in the time period for detecting the touch input, the terminal ⓑ of the switch SW1-1 may be provided with a superimposed DC voltage DC1 to the voltage signal Vdp, and the terminal ⓑ of the switch SW1-2 may be provided. The DC voltage DC2 may be superimposed on the voltage signal Vdp, and the terminal ⓑ of the switch SW1-3 may be provided by superimposing the DC voltage DC3 on the voltage signal Vdp. The terminal ⓑ of the SW1-4 may be provided by superimposing a DC voltage DC4 to the voltage signal Vdp. In this case, at least some of the DC voltage DC1, the DC voltage DC2, the DC voltage DC3, and the DC voltage DC4 may be different values, or may be all the same value, or may be all zeros. May have a value. Although the DC voltage is added to the voltage signal Vdp provided to the terminals ⓑ of the switches SW1-1, SW1-2, SW1-3, and SW1-4, the voltage across the parasitic capacitance Cp, 11 does not change with time. Since there is no current flowing through the parasitic capacitance Cp, 11, it can operate as if the parasitic capacitance Cp, 11 does not exist.

In addition, the switch SW1 may be connected to VCOM 11. By the switch SW1, VCOM, 11 can be in a floating state in the time period for detecting the touch input. In other time periods, not only VCOM and 11 but all VCOM electrodes may be connected to a predetermined reference potential Vref2.

5A and 5C, reference numeral 10 may be referred to as a 'touch detection signal output unit'.

6A and 5C, each common electrode 1037 shown in FIG. 6A corresponds to VCOM, 11 in FIG. 5C. In addition, the MUXs M1 to M9 illustrated in FIG. 6A are disposed between VCOM 11 and the touch sensing signal output unit 10 of FIG. 5C. In FIG. 6A, the switch SW1, the data line, and the gate line illustrated in FIG. 5C are not illustrated for convenience.

In the example shown in FIG. 6A, a total of 36 (= 6 * 6) common electrodes are provided. Each common electrode is electrically separated from each other, and each common electrode may be connected to the DDI chip 2 through a wiring 2037. The DDI chip 2 may include a timing controller 1101, a data driver 1102, and a gate driver 1103 shown in FIG. 2. The size of the gap between the common electrodes 1037 shown in FIG. 6A is exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

The DDI chip 2 may include one or more MUXs M1 to M9. Each MUX may select one or a plurality of sets of common electrodes including a plurality of common electrodes 1037 adjacent to each other and connect the MUX to the touch sensing signal output unit 10. For example, the MUX M1 selects one or a plurality of common electrodes A1, B1, C1, and D1 adjacent to each other. In FIG. 6A, the index of MUX is denoted by Mk (k = 1, 2, 3, ... 9), and the indexes of 36 common electrodes are Ak, Bk, Ck, and Dk (where k = 1, 2). , 3, ... 9). At this time, MUX (Mk) selects any one or a plurality of common electrodes Ak, Bk, Ck, and Dk (where k = 1, 2, 3, ... or 9). Since there are four common electrodes connected to each MUX (Mk), a total of 36 common electrodes may be divided into four groups. In FIG. 6A, the four groups are group A, group B, group C, and group D, and each group includes nine common electrodes. The group A includes common electrodes A1 to A9, the group B includes common electrodes B1 to B9, the group C includes common electrodes C1 to C9, and the group D Common electrodes D1 to D9 are included. A detailed method of selecting the common electrode of each MUX will be described later with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8D, and FIGS. 9 and 10.

The touch sensing signal output unit 10 is configured to output whether or not a touch input is made from the common electrode 1037 connected through the MUX. In addition, the touch detection signal output unit 10 is configured to output a value relating to the input intensity when a touch input is made. The output values ① of the plurality of touch sensing signal output units 10 may be provided to the touch IC 3. The touch IC 3 may determine the touch coordinate by calculating which part of the plurality of common electrodes the touch input is made based on the output values ①. The host computer 1120 may receive the touch coordinates from the touch IC 3 and execute an application corresponding to the touch coordinates.

In FIG. 6A, the common electrode 1037 is illustrated as being directly connected to the MUXs M1 to M9, but in practice, the common electrode 1037 may be connected to the MUXs M1 to M9 through another multiplexer or switch 555. Can be. The multiplexer or switch 555 connects the common electrode 1037 to the MUXs M1 to M9 during the touch input sensing time period, and connects the common electrode 1037 to the reference potential Vref2 during the screen update time period. It may be intended to be connected.

FIG. 7A is an example of an internal structure illustrating the functions of the MUXs shown in FIG. 6A. In the structure according to FIG. 7A, each MUX may select one of four inputs IN1 to IN4 to connect to the output OUT. To this end, a 2-bit input selector (Sel-2bit) may be provided.

FIG. 7B is another example of an internal structure showing the functions of the MUXs shown in FIG. 6A. In the structure according to FIG. 7B, each MUX may select one or more of four inputs IN1 to IN4 to connect to the output OUT. Thus, two or more inputs can be connected to the output at the same time. For this purpose, a 4-bit input selector (Sel-4bit) may be provided.

In the example of FIG. 8A, the screen output through the input / output panel 1050 is updated at a frequency of 60 Hz. At this time, the screen update period (T) is given as 16.7ms (= 1 / 60Hz), it is assumed that the time required to complete the screen output corresponding to one cycle is up to 8.7ms. This 8.7 ms time period can be referred to as a screen update time period 53 below. In addition, a time period of 8 ms, which is the remaining period of the screen update period, may be referred to as a touch input detection time period 52.

In the screen update time period 53, not only the control of the signals applied to the gate lines and the data lines should be completed, but also the plurality of common electrodes described above must be controlled to have a predetermined potential.

In the touch input sensing time period 52, the common electrodes are touched by separating the plurality of common electrodes from the circuit unit providing the predetermined potential and connecting the touch electrodes to the touch sensing signal output unit 10 through the MUX. It can be used as a device for sensing.

That is, the signal TOUCH_EN may have a low value in the screen update time period 53 and have a high value in the touch input detection time period 52.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8A, the touch input sensing time period 52 is each A-time period 52A, B-time period 52B, C-time period 52C, and D- having a duration of 2 ms. It can be divided into time period 52D.

In this case, the MUXs M1 to M9 select the common electrodes A1 to A9 belonging to the group A in the A-time section 52A, respectively, and belong to the group B in the B-time section 52B. The common electrodes B1 to B9 are selected, the common electrodes C1 to C9 belonging to the group C are selected at the C-time interval 52C, and the groups are selected at the D-time interval 52D. The common electrodes D1 to D9 belonging to D are selected.

Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether touch input is made to the common electrodes belonging to the group A in the A-time section 52A, and touch input to the common electrodes belonging to the group B in the B-time section 52B. Can be determined whether the touch input is made to the common electrodes belonging to the group C in the C-time interval 52C, and the group D in the D-time interval 52D. It may be determined whether a touch input is made to the common electrodes belonging to the device.

In the example of FIG. 8B, the screen output through the input / output panel 1050 is updated at a frequency of 60 Hz.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8B, the touch input sensing time interval 52 may be divided into the A-time period_1 152A, the B-time period_1 152B, and the C-time period_1 (which each have a duration of 1 ms). 152C), D-time interval _1 (152D), A-time interval _2 (252A), B-time interval _2 (252B), C-time interval _2 (252C), D-time interval _2 ( 252D).

In this case, the MUXs M1 to M9 select the common electrodes A1 to A9 belonging to the group A in the A-time interval _1 152A and the A-time interval _2 252A, respectively. In the time period_1 (152B) and the B-time period_2 (252B), the common electrodes B1 to B9 belonging to the group B are selected, and the C-time period_1 (152C) and the C-time period are selected. In the interval _2 252C, the common electrodes C1 to C9 belonging to the group C are selected, and in the D-time interval _1 152D and the D-time interval _2 252D, the common electrodes C1 to C9 are selected. The common electrodes D1 to D9 belong to each other.

In the example of FIG. 8C, the screen output through the input / output panel 1050 is updated at a frequency of 120 Hz. At this time, the screen update period is given as 8.3ms (= 1 / 120Hz), it is assumed that the time required to complete the screen output corresponding to one period is up to 4.3ms.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8C, the touch input sensing time interval 52 is each A-time period 52A, B-time period 52B, C-time period 52C, and D- having a duration of 1 ms. It can be divided into time period 52D. 8C may operate in the same manner as that of FIG. 8A according to such a condition.

In the example of FIG. 8D, as in FIG. 8C, the screen output through the input / output panel 1050 is updated at a frequency of 120 Hz.

However, the screen update time period is composed of a first screen update time period 531 and a second screen update time period 532 spaced apart by a predetermined time therefrom. The first screen update time period 531 and the second screen update time period 532 may each have a duration of 2.15 ms.

In addition, the touch input sensing time period may include a first touch input sensing time period 521 and a second touch input sensing time period 522 spaced apart by a predetermined time therefrom. The first touch input sensing time period 521 and the second touch input sensing time period 522 may each have a duration of 2 ms.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8D, the first touch input sensing time period 521 may be divided into an A-time period 52A and a B-time period 52B, each having a duration of 1 ms, and the second touch input sensing time. The time period 522 may be divided into a C-time period 52C and a D-time period 52D, each having a duration of 1 ms.

To implement the embodiments of FIGS. 8A-8D, the MUX may have a structure such as, for example, FIG. 7A or 7B.

9A is a timing diagram illustrating an operation method of a touch input sensing circuit according to FIG. 2 during a touch input sensing waiting time according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The touch input may not be made for a long time. In this situation, if the touch input is detected in the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8D, there is a problem in that standby power is used a lot. Therefore, when it is determined that the touch input has not been made for a long time, it may be switched to the touch input sensing standby mode as shown in FIG. 9A.

9A illustrates an example in which the screen output through the input / output panel 1050 is updated at a frequency of 60 Hz.

At this time, MUX (M1 ~ M9), respectively, during the time interval 152A (1ms) of a portion of the touch input detection time interval 52, the group A, group B, group C, and group connected to its input terminal All common electrodes belonging to D can be connected to their output terminals at the same time. In order to execute the method according to FIG. 9A, the MUXs of FIG. 6A may have a structure such as that of FIG. 7B. For example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the MUX M1 of FIG. 6A may connect VCOM, 11, VCOM, 12, VCOM, 21, VCOM, 22 to the touch sensing signal output unit 10 at once.

10 illustrates an example in which the screen output through the input / output panel 1050 is updated at a frequency of 60 Hz. In order to execute the method according to FIG. 10, the MUXs of FIG. 6A may have a structure such as that of FIG. 7B.

In the embodiment of Fig. 10, the touch input sensing time interval 52 is each A-time period 52A, B-time period 52B, C-time period 52C, and D- having a duration of 2ms. It can be divided into time period 52D. In this case, the MUX of FIG. 6A indicates that the VCOM electrodes (ex: VCOM, 11) belonging to the group A are touch sensed signals during the A-time period 52A, the B-time period 52B, and the C-time period 52C. Connected to the output unit 10, and the VCOM electrodes (ex: VCOM, 12) belonging to the group B are touch-sensitive during the A-time period 52A, the B-time period 52B, and the D-time period 52D. Connect to the signal output unit 10, touch the VCOM electrodes (ex: VCOM, 21) belonging to the group C during the A-time section 52A, C-time section 52C, D-time section 52D Connected to the sensing signal output unit 10, and the VCOM electrodes (ex: VCOM, 22) belonging to the group D are connected during the B-time period 52B, the C-time period 52C, and the D-time period 52D. It may be connected to the touch detection signal output unit 10.

Just before the start of the A-time section 52A, immediately before the start of the B-time section 52B, immediately before the start of the C-time section 52C, and immediately before the start of the D-time section 52D. (10) can be reset. After the touch sensing signal output unit 10 is operated during the A-time period 52A, the result of sampling the output voltage Vo of the touch sensing signal output unit 10 may be expressed as y [0]. After the touch sensing signal output unit 10 is operated during the B-time period 52B, a result of sampling the output voltage Vo of the touch sensing signal output unit 10 may be expressed as y [1]. In addition, after the touch sensing signal output unit 10 is operated during the C-time period 52C, a result of sampling the output voltage Vo of the touch sensing signal output unit 10 may be expressed as y [2]. After the touch sensing signal output unit 10 is operated during the D-time period 52A, the result of sampling the output voltage Vo of the touch sensing signal output unit 10 may be expressed as y [3].

In this case, y [0], y [1], y [2], and y [3] may be expressed as in the following equations.

[Equation]

y [0] = A + B + C

y [1] = A + B + D

y [2] = A + C + D

y [3] = B + C + D

In the above formula, A represents the output value of the touch sensing signal output unit 10 when only the VCOM electrodes (ex: VCOM, 11) belonging to group A are connected to the touch sensing signal output unit 10 alone through MUX. B represents an output value of the touch sensing signal output unit 10 when only the VCOM electrode (ex: VCOM, 12) belonging to the group B is connected to the touch sensing signal output unit 10 alone through MUX. And C represents the output value of the touch sensing signal output unit 10 when only the VCOM electrode (ex: VCOM, 21) belonging to the group C is connected to the touch sensing signal output unit 10 alone through MUX. D represents an output value of the touch sensing signal output unit 10 when only the VCOM electrode (ex: VCOM, 22) belonging to the group D is connected to the touch sensing signal output unit 10 alone through MUX.

When the touch input sensing time period 52 ends, a value S obtained by adding y [0], y [1], y [2], and y [3] to each other can be obtained. S has the following relationship with A, B, C, and D.

S = y [0] + y [1] + y [2] + y [3] = 3 (A + B + C + D)

Therefore, A, B, C, D can be obtained by the following formula. In the following equation, S, y [0], y [1], y [2], and y [3] are all values that can be obtained by measuring using the touch sensing signal output unit 10.

A = (S-3 * y [3]) / 3,

B = (S-3 * y [2]) / 3,

C = (S-3 * y [1]) / 3,

D = (S-3 * y [0]) / 3.

Using the method according to FIG. 10 has an advantage that the SNR can be increased because the time measured for one specific VCOM increases, for example, compared to the method according to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8A.

Hereinafter, a method of calculating touch input information according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

The method includes: first information including definitions for p time periods T_v; The second information is defined corresponding to each of the p time periods T_v, and includes second information including a definition of a sensing electrode combination TEC_v including N_v sensing electrodes selected from a plurality of (= M) sensing electrodes. Thus, a method of calculating information about a touch input to any one of the plurality of sensing electrodes. However, v is an integer of 1 to p, and p is an integer of 2 or more. In one embodiment, N_1 to N_p may be the same value.

For example, in the example of FIG. 10, p = 4, T_1 = 52A, T_2 = 52B, T_3 = 52C, T_4 = 52D, M = 4, N_1 = 3, N_2 = 3, N_3 = 3, N_4 = 3, TEC_1 = { A, B, C}, TEC_2 = {A, B, D}, TEC_3 = {A, C, D}, TEC_4 = {B, C, D}.

In this case, different sensing electrode combinations belonging to the p sensing electrode combinations may include sensing electrodes of different combinations. That is, TEC_1 = {A, B, C}, TEC_2 = {A, B, D}, TEC_3 = {A, C, D}, and TEC_4 = {B, C, D} are all different combinations.

The method includes connecting all the sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v together during the time period T_v to an input terminal of an arbitrary touch sensing circuit to obtain an output value TO_v from the arbitrary touch sensing circuit. Include.

That is, in the example of FIG. 10, all of the sensing electrodes A, B, and C belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_1 during the time period T_1 may be connected together to an input terminal of an arbitrary first touch sensing circuit 10. Can be. During the time period T_1, the output TO_1 = y [0] of the arbitrary first touch sensing circuit 10 may be obtained.

In addition, all of the sensing electrodes A, B, and D belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_2 during the time period T_2 may be connected together to an input terminal of an arbitrary second touch sensing circuit 10. During the time period T_2, the output TO_2 = y [1] of the arbitrary second touch sensing circuit 10 may be obtained.

In addition, all of the sensing electrodes A, C, and D belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_3 during the time period T_3 may be connected to an input terminal of an arbitrary third touch sensing circuit 10. During the time period T_3, the output TO_3 = y [2] of the third touch sensing circuit 10 may be obtained.

During the time period T_4, all of the sensing electrodes B, C, and D belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_4 may be connected together to an input terminal of an arbitrary fourth touch sensing circuit 10. In addition, during the time period T_4, the output TO_4 = y [3] of the third touch sensing circuit 10 may be obtained.

The method may include calculating information about a touch input to any one of the sensing electrodes using the p output values TO_v.

That is, in the example of FIG. 10, p = 4 output values y [0], y [1], y [2], and y [3] are used to detect one of the sensing electrodes belonging to the plurality of sensing electrodes. Information on the touch input may be calculated.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be arranged in a matrix form. Or it may be arranged in a zigzag in a honeycomb structure.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be provided as separate modules separated from the display panel and disposed on the display panel. In this case, the display panel may be any one of a TFT panel and an IPS panel, but is not limited to a specific type.

In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes may be a plurality of separated common electrodes used as components of the display panel to operate the display panel. In this case, the plurality of sensing electrodes (= common electrode) may be connected to input terminals of one or more touch input sensing circuits allocated in a predetermined manner during the p time periods T_v.

All of the plurality of sensing electrodes may be connected to a predetermined reference potential Vref2 during at least some of the time periods other than the p time periods T_v.

The plurality of sensing electrodes may be adjacent to each other. That is, when a first sensing electrode is arbitrarily selected among the plurality of sensing electrodes, at least one sensing electrode of the sensing electrodes except for the first sensing electrode of the plurality of sensing electrodes may be adjacent to the first sensing electrode. Can be.

Alternatively, a minimum distance between a first sensing electrode of the plurality of sensing electrodes and a second sensing electrode of the plurality of sensing electrodes is referred to as a first minimum distance, and one other predetermined one of the sensing electrodes other than the plurality of sensing electrodes is determined. When the minimum distance between the sensing electrode and the first sensing electrode is referred to as the second minimum distance, the first minimum distance may be greater than the second minimum distance.

Alternatively, the first sensing electrode of the plurality of sensing electrodes may not be adjacent to any of the remaining sensing electrodes except for the first sensing electrode of the plurality of sensing electrodes. That is, all of the sensing electrodes adjacent to the first sensing electrode may not be included in the plurality of sensing electrodes.

At this time, when the arbitrary touch sensing circuit connected to all the sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v for the time period T_v is denoted as TSC_v, the touch sensing circuit TSC_a and the touch sensing circuit TSC_b are It may be the same one touch sensing circuit, provided that a and b are different values, and a and b are integers of 1 to p, respectively.

Alternatively, when the arbitrary touch sensing circuit connected to all sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v during the time period T_v is denoted as TSC_v, the touch sensing circuit TSC_a and the touch sensing circuit TSC_b are It may be different touch sensing circuits, provided that a and b are different values, and a and b are integers of 1 to p, respectively.

By using the embodiments of the present invention described above, those belonging to the technical field of the present invention will be able to easily make various changes and modifications without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. The content of each claim in the claims may be combined in another claim without citations within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A first step of connecting the N1 sensing electrodes selected from the M sensing electrodes together with the input terminal of the sensing circuit to obtain a first output value from the sensing circuit during the first time period;

During a second time period, connecting the N2 sensing electrodes selected from the M sensing electrodes to the input terminal of the sensing circuit together to obtain a second output value from the sensing circuit;

A third step of calculating information on a touch input with respect to any one of the M sensing electrodes using the first output value and the second output value;

Including,

Touch input detection method.
first information including definitions for p time periods T_v; Each of the plurality of p time periods T_v is defined in correspondence with the second information including a definition of a sensing electrode combination TEC_v consisting of N_v sensing electrodes selected from the plurality of sensing electrodes. A method of calculating information about a touch input to one of the sensing electrodes, wherein p is an integer of 2 or more and an integer of v = 1 to p.

The different sensing electrode combinations belonging to the p sensing electrode combinations are composed of different combinations of sensing electrodes,

Connecting all sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v to the input terminal of an arbitrary touch sensing circuit together during the time period T_v to obtain an output value TO_v from the arbitrary touch sensing circuit; And

calculating information on a touch input to any one of the plurality of sensing electrodes using p output values TO_v;

Including,

Method for calculating touch input information.
The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes is p, p is an integer of 3 or more, N_v satisfies N_v = p−1, and N_v is an integer of 2 or more.
The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are arranged in a matrix form.
The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are provided separately from the display panel and disposed on the display panel.
The method of claim 4, wherein the display panel is one of a TFT panel and an IPS panel.
The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are a plurality of separate common electrodes used as parts of the display panel for operation of the display panel.
The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are connected to input terminals of at least one touch input sensing circuit allocated in a predetermined manner during the p time periods T_v.
The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are connected to a predetermined reference potential Vref2 during at least some of the time periods other than the p time periods T_v.
The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are adjacent to each other.
The method of claim 2, wherein N_v is a constant irrespective of a v value.
The method according to claim 2 or 3,

The first sensing electrode of the plurality of sensing electrodes,

None of the plurality of sensing electrodes is adjacent to any of the sensing electrodes except for the first sensing electrode,

All of the sensing electrodes adjacent to the first sensing electrode are not included in the plurality of sensing electrodes.

Method for calculating touch input information.
The method according to claim 2 or 3,

When the arbitrary touch sensing circuit connected to all the sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v during the time period T_v is denoted as TSC_v,

The touch sensing circuit TSC_a and the touch sensing circuit TSC_b are the same touch sensing circuits, provided that a and b are different values, and a and b are integers of 1 to p, respectively.

Method for calculating touch input information.
The method according to claim 2 or 3,

When the arbitrary touch sensing circuit connected to all the sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v during the time period T_v is denoted as TSC_v,

The touch sensing circuit TSC_a and the touch sensing circuit TSC_b are different touch sensing circuits, where a and b are different values, and a and b are integers of 1 to p, respectively.

Method for calculating touch input information.
A plurality of sensing electrodes;

One or more touch sensing circuits; And

Processing

Including;

The processing unit may include: first information including definitions of p time periods T_v; Each of the plurality of p time periods T_v is defined in correspondence with the second information including a definition of a sensing electrode combination TEC_v consisting of N_v sensing electrodes selected from the plurality of sensing electrodes. A method of calculating information on a touch input to any one of the sensing electrodes is performed (where p is an integer of 2 or more and an integer of v = 1 to p),

The different sensing electrode combinations belonging to the p sensing electrode combinations are composed of different combinations of sensing electrodes,

The processing unit,

Connecting all sensing electrodes belonging to the sensing electrode combination TEC_v to the input terminal of an arbitrary touch sensing circuit together during the time period T_v to obtain an output value TO_v from the arbitrary touch sensing circuit; And

calculating information on a touch input to any one of the plurality of sensing electrodes using p output values TO_v;

Is designed to perform

Touch input sensing device.
The touch input sensing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes is p, p is an integer of 3 or more, N_v satisfies N_v = p−1, and N_v is an integer of 2 or more.
The touch input sensing device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are arranged in a matrix form.
17. The touch input sensing device of claim 15 or 16, wherein the plurality of sensing electrodes are a plurality of separate common electrodes used as a part of the display panel for operation of the display panel.
The method according to claim 15 or 16,

The plurality of sensing electrodes are connected to the input terminals of the one or more touch sensing circuits allocated in a predetermined manner during the p time periods T_v,

The plurality of sensing electrodes are configured to be connected to a predetermined reference potential Vref2 during at least a portion of a time other than the p time periods T_v.

Touch input sensing device.