KR20160018194A - Touch processor and touch screen apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch processing apparatus capable of avoiding noise and a touch screen apparatus using the same.
A touch processing apparatus and a touch screen apparatus using the same according to the present invention include a touch panel including a plurality of driving signal lines and a plurality of sensing signal lines, a driver for transmitting driving signals to the plurality of driving signal lines, A plurality of driving signal lines are divided into at least two groups and a driving signal having a different frequency for each group is transmitted to the driving unit, And a touch processing unit receiving the noise information corresponding to the sensing signal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a touch processing apparatus and a touch screen apparatus using the touch processing apparatus.

The present invention relates to a touch processing apparatus and a touch screen apparatus using the touch processing apparatus.

Recently, portable terminals such as mobile phones and tablet PCs are widely used. 2. Description of the Related Art [0002] A portable terminal is miniaturized due to convenience of movement, and a touch screen method using a touch panel that detects a touch by a finger or a stylus pen and detects an input signal without using a separate keypad is widely used.

A plurality of driving signal lines and a plurality of sensing signal lines may cross the touch panel. A driving signal having a specific frequency is input to a plurality of driving signal lines, and a signal having a specific frequency is sensed through a sensing signal line, thereby enabling the touch presence and the touch position to be identified. However, if noise is present in a specific frequency band for various reasons, there is a problem that the accuracy with respect to touch detection of the touch panel deteriorates. Therefore, it is necessary that the frequency of the driving signal avoids the frequency of the noise in order to make the touch panel less affected by the frequency of the noise.

KR 10-2011-0061798 (Released on June 10, 2011) US 2014-0145998 (published May 29, 2014)

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch processing apparatus capable of avoiding noise and a touch screen apparatus using the same.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch panel including a touch panel including a plurality of driving signal lines and a plurality of sensing signal lines, a driving unit for transmitting a driving signal to the plurality of driving signal lines, a sensing unit for receiving sensing signals from the plurality of sensing signal lines, A touch process is performed using a driving signal and a sensing signal. A plurality of driving signal lines are divided into at least two groups, and a driving signal having a different frequency for each group is transmitted to a driving unit. And a touch processing unit receiving the noise information.

A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a touch-sensing method for performing touch processing using a plurality of driving signals and a plurality of sensing signals, wherein a plurality of driving signals are divided into at least two groups having different frequencies, A signal processing unit for receiving the sensing signal corresponding to the sensing signal and generating noise information, and an operation unit for analyzing noise by calculating noise information generated by the signal processing unit.

A third aspect of the present invention is a touch processing method for performing a touch scan for sensing a touch and a noise scan for sensing noise information, wherein the noise scan divides a plurality of driving signals into at least two groups, A step of receiving the detection signal in response to the drive signal, determining the noise information by the received detection signal, and determining the frequency of the drive signal by using the noise information .

According to the touch processing apparatus and the touch screen apparatus using the touch processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to compare a plurality of frequencies with the frequencies of noise, thereby shortening the time for avoiding noise. Further, it is possible to find the frequency that receives the least influence of the noise, and it is possible to prevent the touch accuracy from being lowered.

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing an embodiment of a structure of a touch screen device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a structural diagram illustrating an embodiment of a touch processing unit employed in the touch screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of a table stored in a memory employed in the touch processing unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is a timing diagram illustrating an embodiment of the operation of the touch screen device shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for avoiding noise in the touch screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: will be.

In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. In this specification, the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another element, and the element is not limited by these terms.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, certain features, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in connection with an embodiment. It is also to be understood that the position or arrangement of the individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, if properly explained. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing an embodiment of a structure of a touch screen device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a touch screen device 100 includes a touch panel 100 including a plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2,? Xn-1, TXn and a plurality of sensing signal lines RY1, RY2,? Ym-1, A plurality of sensing signal lines RY1, RY2, ..., RYm-1, and RYm, a driving unit 120 for transmitting a driving signal to the plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, A sensing unit 130 for receiving a sensing signal from the driving signal lines TX1 to TXn and a touch signal using the driving signal and the sensing signal and dividing the plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn into at least two groups And a touch processing unit 140 for transmitting driving signals having different frequencies to the driving unit 120 for each group and receiving noise information corresponding to the sensing signals from the sensing unit 130.

The touch panel 110 includes a plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn, a plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn arranged in a first direction, A plurality of sensing signal lines RY1, RY2, ... Ym-1 and RYm and driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn and sensing signal lines RY1, RY2, ..., Ym-1, RYm), which are formed at intersections of the sensing cells.

The plurality of drive signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn and the plurality of sense signal lines RY1, RY2, ..., Ym-1, RYm are formed in different layers on a substrate . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The plurality of drive signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn and the plurality of sense signal lines RY1, RY2, ..., Ym-1, RYm may be formed of a transparent conductive material. The transparent conductive material may be formed of ITO (Indium-Tin-Oxide), IZO (Indium-Zinc-Oxide), or CNT (Carbon Nano Tube). An insulating layer (not shown) is formed between the plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn and the sensing signal lines RY1, RY2, ..., Ym- May be formed. 1, the driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn and the sensing signal lines RY1, RY2, ..., Ym-1, RYm are orthogonal crossing However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be embodied by crossing shapes of other geometric configurations (concentric lines and radial lines of a polar coordinate array) as an example.

When the object (not shown) is touched, the touch panel 110 changes the capacitance of each sensing cell including the mutual capacitance C, and therefore, by using the capacitance change amount of the touch panel 110 It can be judged whether or not the touch is made. Here, the touch may include an object touching the touch panel 110 directly, and an approaching object having a predetermined distance from the touch panel 110.

The driving unit 120 may be connected to a plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn to transmit a driving signal to the touch panel 110. [ The driving signals transmitted to the plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn may be sequentially transmitted. The driving unit 120 divides the plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., Xn-1, TXn into a plurality of groups A and B and simultaneously outputs driving signals to the groups A and B It can also be delivered. The sensing unit 130 may be connected to a plurality of sensing signal lines RY1, RY2, ..., Ym-1, RYm of the touch panel 110 to receive sensing signals. In addition, the sensing unit 130 may integrate noise existing in the touch panel 110 to generate noise information.

The touch processing unit 140 may be divided into a touch scan period and a noise scan period. The touch processing unit 140 can process touch information generated by touching the touch panel 110 during a touch scan period and can detect noise information existing in the touch panel 110 during a noise scan period. The touch processing unit 140 divides the plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn into at least two groups A and B, The driving unit 120 can transmit the driving signals having different frequencies to the driving unit 120. Although a plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn are shown as being divided into two groups A and B, a plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ) Is not limited to this number. Then, the noise information corresponding to the detection signal can be obtained from the sensing unit 130. If a driving signal having the same frequency is transmitted to each driving signal line without dividing the driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn into groups, noise information for one frequency in the noise scanning period It may not be able to grasp outside. However, the driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn are divided into at least two groups and the driving signals having different frequencies in the groups A and B are divided into a plurality of driving signal lines TX1 , TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn), noise information on at least two frequencies can be grasped at the time of noise scanning. By grasping the noise information for at least two frequencies in this way, the time for searching for a frequency that is not affected by noise can be shortened. If the frequency of the drive signal is set to 8 and the eighth frequency is not affected by the noise, if the frequency is not grouped, the frequency of the drive signal must be changed 8 times so that the frequency However, when the driving signal lines are divided into two groups A and B as shown in the drawing according to the frequency, a frequency that is not affected by noise can be searched even if the driving signal frequency is changed only four times . When the drive signal lines are divided into three groups, even if the frequency of the drive signal is changed only three times, the frequency that is not affected by the noise can be searched, and the time for finding the frequency that is not affected by the noise can be shortened. In addition, noise information for a plurality of frequencies can be grasped at the same time, so that even if there are a plurality of frequencies that are not affected by noise, it is possible to search for a frequency that can minimize the noise influence.

The touch processing unit 140 may set the frequency of the driving signal corresponding to the noise information detected in the noise scanning period and generate the driving signal using the frequency of the driving signal set in the noise scanning period in the touch scanning period . Accordingly, the touch processing unit 140 can generate a driving signal that can avoid the influence of noise and use it for touch detection.

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram illustrating an embodiment of a touch processing unit employed in the touch screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. The driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 130 are not a component of the touch processing unit 140. [

Referring to FIG. 2, the touch processing unit 140 performs touch processing using a plurality of driving signals and a plurality of sensing signals. The touch processing unit 140 divides a plurality of driving signals into at least two groups having different frequencies, A signal processing unit 140a that receives the sensing signal corresponding to the driving signal having the driving signal and generates noise information, and an operation unit 140b that analyzes noise by calculating the noise information generated by the signal processing unit 140a .

The signal processing unit 140a includes a timing control unit 141 for controlling the driving unit 120 and generating a driving signal and transmitting the driving signal to the driving unit 120 and storing information about the frequency for each group and transmitting the information to the timing control unit 141 And a memory 143. In addition, the signal processing unit 140a may include a micro controller unit (MCU) 144 for controlling the timing controller 141. In addition, the signal processing unit 140a may include an ADC 142 for converting the noise information into a digital signal. The ADC 142 may receive the result of integrating the sensing signal from the sensing unit 130. [

The timing controller 141 generates a driving signal by applying a frequency of a driving signal transmitted to a driving signal line allocated to each group using information on frequencies stored in groups in the memory 143, . The driving unit 120 may enable the driving signal generated by the timing control unit 141 to be transmitted to the driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn with a predetermined voltage level. The timing controller 141 may cause the driving unit 120 to transmit driving signals to all the driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn at the same time. Here, the same is not meant only to be completely coincident in time but may include a case where a slight time difference occurs.

The memory 143 includes information on a plurality of frequencies and provides information on a plurality of frequencies to the timing controller 141 so that the frequency of the driving signal transmitted from the timing controller 141 to the driving unit 120 can be applied . The application of the frequency of the driving signal can be performed by dividing the frequency of the driving signal into each group and applying the frequency to the driving signal and applying the frequency determined in the noise scanning period to the driving signal in the touch scan period. In addition, a program such as firmware may be stored in the memory 143, and the MCU 144 may be operated by a stored program.

The calculating unit 140b may calculate at least one of the maximum value, the minimum value, the average value, and the deviation of the noise using the sensing signal corresponding to the sensing signal. The maximum value and the minimum value of the noise mean the maximum value and the minimum value of the noise transmitted through each of the sensing signal lines RY1, RY2, ..., RYm-1 and RYm in one noise scanning interval, Means the average value of noise transmitted through each of the sensing signal lines RY1, RY2, ..., RYm-1, RYm in the noise scanning period. The deviation may mean a deviation and an average deviation between noise in one noise scanning period. The calculating unit 140b can select a frequency that is not affected by noise by using at least one of the maximum value, the minimum value, the average value, and the deviation of the calculated noise.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of a table stored in a memory employed in the touch processing unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the memory 143 may store a table 143a for grouping and storing frequencies. A predetermined frequency can be stored in the table 143a separately for each group (G # 1, G # 2, G # 3, G # 4). In addition, a plurality of frequencies may be allocated to each group in the table 143a, and all the frequencies may be separately applied in a noise scan period without being applied at one time. For example, the touch panel may include 24 driving signal lines and 41 sensing signal lines, respectively. When four groups are set in the table 143a, six driving signal lines can be connected to four groups, respectively. If the frequency is 12, three frequencies can be assigned to each of the four groups. In the noise scan period, a drive signal having four frequencies allocated to the first group is transmitted to four groups, and then a drive signal having four frequencies allocated to the second group is transmitted. It is possible to grasp the noise information. The frequencies described herein are exemplary and the frequency of the drive signal is not limited thereto.

4 is a timing diagram illustrating an embodiment of the operation of the touch screen device shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 4, the touch screen apparatus 100 is operated by repeating the first interval T1 to the third interval T3. The first interval T1 includes a scan interval SP, a touch processing interval TP ), And a sleep interval (SLP). In the scan period SP, the driving unit 120 transmits a driving signal to the plurality of driving signal lines TX1, TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn of the touch panel 110. [ At this time, the driving signals having one frequency are sequentially transmitted to the plurality of driving signal lines (TX1, TX2, ..., TXn-1, TXn), or the driving signals having one frequency are simultaneously transmitted to two or more driving signal lines have. In the touch processing section TP, the sensing signal corresponding to the driving signal can be received and the touch processing can be performed. The touch processing can determine whether a touch has occurred and can perform a touch operation and perform an operation corresponding to the generated touch. This touch processing can be performed under the control of the touch processing unit 140. [ In particular, the touch processing can be performed under the control of the MCU 144 shown in Fig. The sleep interval (SLP) prevents the touch processing unit from operating, thereby reducing the power consumption of the touch screen device. In particular, the sleep interval (SLP) can reduce the power consumption of the touch screen device because the MCU 144 shown in FIG. 2 slips and does not operate.

The second period T2 includes a scan period SP, a touch processing period TP, a sleep interval SLP and a noise scan interval NSP. The noise scan interval NSP includes a sleep interval SLP. can do. Further, it may further include a noise calculation interval (NTP) after the noise scan interval NSP ends. Noise calculation in the noise calculation section NTP can be performed under the control of the touch processing section 140. [ In particular, the noise calculation may proceed according to the control of the MCU 144 shown in Fig.

The third period T3 includes the scan period SP, the touch processing period TP and the sleep period SLP and may perform the same operation as the first period T1. Here, the noise scan interval NSP is included in the second interval T2 between the first interval T1 and the third interval T3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, It is also possible to include the noise scan interval NSP in the second interval T2 and not include the noise scan interval NSP in the third interval T3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for avoiding noise in the touch screen apparatus shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, a method of avoiding noise includes the steps of dividing a plurality of driving signals into at least two groups A and B, setting and outputting different frequencies for each group (S510) (S520) of receiving the sensing signal, determining the noise information based on the received sensing signal, and determining the frequency of the driving signal using the noise information (S530).

In addition, a method of avoiding noise may further include a step S540 of performing a touch scan using the determined frequency after determining the frequency of the driving signal using the noise information. That is, the touch scan can determine whether or not the touch is sensed by using the driving signal to which the determined frequency is applied.

In addition, in step S510 of setting and outputting different frequencies, a plurality of frequency information is stored in the memory 143 shown in FIG. 2, and different frequency information is used for each group using a plurality of frequency information Can be set.

The noise avoiding method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of a program command that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and constructed for the present invention or may be available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magnetic media such as floppy disks; Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include machine language code such as those produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

Reference throughout this specification to " one embodiment ", etc. of the principles of the invention, and the like, as well as various modifications of such expression, are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, it means. Thus, the appearances of the phrase " in one embodiment " and any other variation disclosed throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

It will be understood that the term " connected " or " connecting ", and the like, as used in the present specification are intended to include either direct connection with other components or indirect connection with other components. Also, the singular forms in this specification include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, components, steps, operations, and elements referred to in the specification as " comprises " or " comprising " refer to the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, elements, and / or devices.

100: touch screen device 110: touch panel
120: Driving unit 130:
140:

Claims (16)

A touch panel including a plurality of driving signal lines and a plurality of sensing signal lines;
A driving unit for transmitting driving signals to the plurality of driving signal lines;
A sensing unit receiving a sensing signal from the plurality of sensing signal lines; And
Wherein the driving signal and the sensing signal are used for touch processing, the driving signal lines are divided into at least two groups, and a driving signal having different frequencies for each group is transmitted to the driving unit, And a touch processor receiving the noise information corresponding to the sensing signal. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the touch processing unit sets a frequency of the driving signal in accordance with the noise information and generates a driving signal having the set frequency in the driving unit. The method according to claim 1,
The touch processing unit
A timing controller for controlling the driving unit, generating the driving signal, and transmitting the driving signal to the driving unit;
An operation unit for calculating the noise information to analyze noise; And
And a memory for storing frequency information for each group and transmitting the information to the timing controller. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the operation unit calculates at least one of a maximum value, a minimum value, an average value, and a deviation of the noise. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the sensing unit integrates noise existing in the touch panel to generate the noise information. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the touch processing unit further comprises an ADC for converting the noise information into a digital signal. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the touch processing unit is divided into a touch scan period for recognizing the occurrence of a touch and a noise scan period for sensing noise, wherein the noise scan period includes a touch operation in which a driving signal having a different frequency for each group is transmitted to the driving unit Screen device. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the touch processing unit further includes an MCU for controlling the timing control unit, and the noise scan period includes a period in which the MCU sleeps. A touch process is performed by using a plurality of drive signals and a plurality of sense signals. The plurality of drive signals are divided into at least two groups having different frequencies, and a detection signal corresponding to a drive signal having a different frequency for each group is transmitted A signal processing unit for receiving and generating noise information; And
And a calculation unit for calculating noise information generated by the signal processing unit and analyzing noise. 10. The method of claim 9,
The signal processing unit,
A timing controller for generating and outputting driving signals having different frequencies for the respective groups;
An ADC for receiving a sensing signal corresponding to the driving signal and converting the sensing signal into a digital signal; And
And a memory for storing frequency information for each group and providing the information to the timing controller. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the calculation unit calculates at least one of a maximum value, a minimum value, an average value, and a deviation of the noise. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the signal processing unit is divided into a touch scan period for grasping the occurrence of a touch and a noise scan period for grasping noise, and the noise scan period outputs a drive signal having a different frequency for each group. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the signal processing unit further includes an MCU for controlling the timing control unit, and the noise scan period includes a period in which the MCU sleeps. A touch processing method for performing a touch scan for sensing a touch and a noise scan for sensing noise information,
The noise scan
Dividing a plurality of driving signals into at least two groups, setting and outputting different driving frequencies for different groups;
Receiving a sensing signal corresponding to the driving signal and determining noise information by the sensing signal; And
And determining the frequency of the drive signal using the noise information. 15. The method of claim 14,
Determining a frequency of the drive signal using the noise information, and performing the touch scan using the determined frequency. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the plurality of frequency information are stored in a memory and are set to have different frequencies for each group using the plurality of frequency information.

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